Saturday, February 06, 2021

#EndSARS VOICE Webinar: Feminist Movement Building in Africa

 

At VOICE we know that where there are strong women’s movements, there is greater access to rights and resources for women. Women know exactly what they need, and are often the most effective change-agents in their communities. But the potential for women to drive these changes is often stifled by patriarchal institutions, cultures, and behaviors. Feminist movement-building promotes feminist perspectives as the driving force of systemic change, with emphasis on women-led activism across issues and environments. Feminist movement-building is achieved by the mobilization and galvanization of women and girls into networks, organizations, and movements. Through our very first panel discussion on the topic, VOICE is excited to discuss the feminist movement-building that has taken place in parts of Africa. We are speaking to some of the women who have been at the forefront of these successful, global, women-led movements. This panel discussion ultimately aims to understand how we can continue to push for feminist solutions, by means of creating, growing, and supporting women-led movements, in order to eradicate the multiple forms of violence women and girls face. Our Panelists Aisha Yesufu is a Nigerian socio-political activist, and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls Movement, an advocacy group that brought attention to the abduction of over 200 girls from a secondary school in Chibok, Nigeria in 2014. She is also known for being a leading voice and icon of the 2020 #EndSARS movement and protests in Nigeria. Sally Mboumien is a Cameroonian peace builder and feminist activist, who has been leading a network of women calling for peace and ceasefire in the Cameroonian Anglophone Crisis. She is the executive director of Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), and also advocates for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women and girls. Moderated by Chiderah Monde, VOICE Head of Communications & Marketing.