Dakar, 18th July 2023- Alongside the Women Deliver 2023 conference taking place in Kigali, Rwanda, Voix EssentiELLES, Her Voice Fund, Speak Up Africa, Y+ Global, ViiV Healthcare Positive Action, and the Global Fund hosted a side event on the theme « Advancing gender equality through investing in women and girl’s meaningful engagement in decision-making spaces ». This event kicks off the second phase of Voix EssentiELLES, an initiative supported by Fondation CHANEL and the Global Fund and aimed at empowering women and girls and promote their participation in decision-making processes and spaces.
This year, 2023, marks the twentieth anniversary of the Maputo Protocol on African Women’s Rights. This protocol established African women’s rights guarantee as a fundamental condition for sustainable development. Yet women still face multiple barriers in accessing healthcare, education, economic opportunities, and decision-making bodies in Africa. Organized as part of the Women Deliver 2023 conference, the event was an opportunity to highlight the voices of community organization, women and girls, activists and funders committed to tackling health, economic, religious, and socio-cultural barriers to the development of women and girls in all their diversity.
Larissa Bachia, Senior Program Lead at IDEO, emphasized the need for a community-based approach to the design and implementation of gender equality programmes. “We need to neutralize hierarchies, reinforce girl’s agency, and ensure they have the means for active participation. They should sit on a table with funders and implementing organizations as peers. We need to embrace new ways of working. We can be subject matter experts, but decision-making on what will work and what will not work should be left for those whose lives are affected by the solutions we design and implement” she commented.
Participants from feminist organizations, women’s networks, civil society, private sector, and philanthropic organizations discussed best practices, approaches and lessons learned from women-led initiatives to promote gender equality. The event featured inter-connected themes including: What Works- featuring promising initiatives, success factors and bottlenecks within collaborative initiatives that address multiple needs of women and networks and Strategic Partnerships – interrogating funders and women and girls can collaborate better, building alliances, leverage on each others’ expertise, influence policies, programmes and financing towards advancing gender equality and meaningful participation.
Jennifer Van, President of “Jeunes engagées pour la sexualité”, a Voix EssentiELLES Fund grantee in Côte d’Ivoire in 2021 and 2022, was one of the panelists. She highlighted her organization’s significant achievements and impact in fighting gender-based violence and inequality in Côte d’Ivoire. She also emphasized the urgent need to invest in women’s leadership and empowerment and the need for long-term funding for organizations like hers.
« Through the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, we have helped hundreds of young girls take control of their sexual health by avoiding risky sexual behavior. It is vital to support women-led organizations working to eliminate gender inequality, as women’s empowerment is a key lever for sustainable and equitable development in Africa, » said Jennifer Van.
The meeting also provided participants with an opportunity to explore new partnership opportunities and innovative financing to support community-based initiative to ensure that gender equality becomes a reality. The speakers highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in increasing investments and finding innovative ways to accelerate progress towards advancing gender equality.
« There are still enormous challenges to achieving gender equality and we must leverage the skills and contributions of all. Governments and businesses must work together with women and girls in all their diversity to create an inclusive ecosystem where women and girls can thrive and contribute fully to development, » said Kate Thomson, Head of Community, Rights and Gender at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Maximina Jokonya, coordinator of the HER Voice Fund, believes that public-private partnerships can be a powerful strategy for ending gender inequality and amplifying women and girls’ voices. « It is crucial that the public and private sectors pool their resources and expertise to drive social change and achieve gender equality. The synergy of their actions can lead to the implementation of inclusive policies, the creation of positive role models and the development of women as leaders and decision-makers, » said Maximina Jokonya.
Fara Ndiaye, Deputy Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, emphasized that collaboration between the public and private sectors is a key strategy in all Speak Up Africa interventions, including gender equality initiatives.
« As once a younger, smaller organization with what was considered lower absorptive financial capacity, we feel tremendously blessed to now be in a position where we can strengthen the capacities and unleash the potential of dozens of grassroots organizations across West Africa. With this second phase, we strive for increased impact as we further build trust and sustainable relationships with our grantees”, she concluded.
Kigali, le 18 juillet 2023– En marge de la conférence Women Deliver 2023 qui se tient à Kigali au Rwanda, les Voix EssentiELLES, Her Voice Fund, Speak Up Africa, Y+Global, ViiV Healthcare Positive Action et le Fonds mondial organisent une session autour du thème « Faire progresser l’égalité des sexes en investissant dans l’engagement significatif des femmes et des jeunes filles dans les espaces de pris de décision ». Cette session lance la deuxième phase de Voix EssentiELLES, une initiative soutenue par la Fondation CHANEL et le Fonds mondial pour renforcer l’autonomisation des femmes et des filles et favoriser leur implication dans les processus et les espaces de prise de décision.
Cette année 2023 marque le vingtième anniversaire de l’adoption du protocole de Maputo relatif aux droits des femmes qui établit la garantie des droits des femmes comme une condition primordiale au développement durable. Pourtant, les femmes font encore à de multiples obstacles dans l’accès à la santé, à l’éducation, aux opportunités économiques ou aux instances de prise de décision. La rencontre organisée lors de la conférence Women Deliver 2023, a permis de mettre en avant les voix des organisations communautaires, des femmes et des jeunes filles, des activistes et bailleurs de fonds qui travaillent au quotidien à lever les barrières économiques, religieuses et socio-culturelles pour favoriser le plein épanouissement des femmes et des filles dans toute leur diversité.
Larissa Bachia, Responsable de Programmes à IDEO, a souligné la nécessité d’opter pour une approche communautaire dans la conception et la mise en œuvre des initiatives visant à réaliser l’égalité des genres.
« Nous devons éliminer les stéréotypes, renforcer les initiatives portée par des jeunes filles et veiller à ce qu’elles disposent des moyens nécessaires pour participer activement à la vie de la société. Elles doivent s’asseoir à la même table que les bailleurs de fonds et les organisations de mises en œuvre en tant que paires. Nous devons changer de paradigme dans notre méthode de travail. Nous pouvons être des expertes et experts dans nos domaines d’interventions, mais la prise de décision sur ce qui fonctionnera ou ce qui ne fonctionnera pas doit être laissée à ceux et celles dont la vie est affectée par les solutions que nous concevons et mettons en œuvre », a déclaré Larissa Bachia.
Issus d’organisations féministes, de réseaux de femmes, de la société civile, du secteur privé et des organisations philanthropiques, les participantes et participants ont échangé autour des meilleures pratiques et approches ainsi que les enseignements tirés des initiatives féminines pour promouvoir l’égalité des genres et renforcer le leadership des femmes et des jeunes filles. La rencontre a permis de présenter des initiatives prometteuses, des facteurs de réussite et les obstacles dans la mise en œuvre des initiatives de collaboration qui répondent aux besoins multiples des femmes et des réseaux de femmes. Elle a permis d’aborder la thématique des partenariats stratégiques en explorant les pistes d’une meilleure collaboration entre les organisations philanthropiques et les réseaux de femmes et des jeunes filles, ainsi que les alliances stratégiques pour influencer les politiques, les programmes et le financement pour faire progresser l’égalité des genres.
Parmi les panélistes figure Jennifer Van, Présidente de « Jeunes engagées pour la sexualité », une organisation récipiendaire du Fonds Voix EssentiELLES en Côte d’Ivoire en 2021 et 2022. En se basant sur les succès et l’impact significatifs de son organisation dans la lutte contre les violences et inégalité faites aux femmes et aux filles en Côte d’Ivoire, Jennifer Van a rappelé l’urgence d’investir durablement dans le leadership féminin et l’autonomisation des femmes et des jeunes filles. « Grâce à l’initiative Voix EssentiELLES, nous avons pu accompagner des centaines de jeunes filles à prendre en main leur santé sexuelle en évitant des pratiques sexuelles à risques. Il est primordial de soutenir les organisations de femmes qui œuvrent à éliminer les inégalités des genres, car l’autonomisation des femmes est un levier essentiel du développement durable et équitable en Afrique », a insisté Jennifer Van.
La rencontre a également permis aux participantes et participants d’explorer de nouvelles opportunités de partenariats et de financements innovants pour soutenir les initiatives communautaires dédiées à l’égalité des genres. À cet effet, les différentes intervenantes ont mis un accent particulier sur l’importance du partenariat public-privé dans la mobilisation de financements pour réaliser des progrès significatifs dans l’atteinte de l’égalité des genres.
« Face aux énormes défis à relever pour parvenir à l’égalité entre les hommes et les femmes, nous devons tirer parti des compétences et des contributions de chacun. Les gouvernements et les entreprises doivent travailler avec les femmes et les jeunes filles dans toute leur diversité pour créer un écosystème inclusif dans lequel les femmes et les filles peuvent s’épanouir et contribuer pleinement au développement », indiqué Kate Thomson, Cheffe du département Communauté, Droits et Genre au Fonds mondial de lutte contre le sida, la tuberculose et le paludisme.
Pour Maximina Jokonya, Coordinatrice de HER Voice Fund, le partenariat public-privé peut être une puissante stratégie pour mettre fin aux disparités de genre et amplifier les voix des femmes et des jeunes filles.
« Il est crucial que le secteur public et privé mettent en commun leurs ressources et expertises afin d’impulser les transformations sociales pour atteindre l’égalité des genres. La synergie de leurs actions permettra de mettre en place des politiques inclusives, créer des modèles de comportement positifs et favoriser le développement des femmes en tant que leaders et décideurs», précise Maximina Jokonya.
Fara Ndiaye, Directrice exécutive adjointe de Speak Up Africa, a pour sa part que la collaboration entre le secteur public et privé est un axe stratégique et transversale à l’ensemble des programmes et initiatives de Speak Up Africa, y compris les initiatives dédiées à l’égalité des genres. « Ayant nous-mêmes été une organisation plus jeune, plus petite et avec ce qui était considéré comme une capacité d’absorption financière plus faible il y a juste quelques années de cela, nous sommes aujourd’hui très fiers d’être dans une position où nous pouvons renforcer les capacités et le potentiel de dizaines d’organisations à base communautaire à travers l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Avec cette deuxième phase, nous nous efforçons d’avoir un impact accru tout en renforçant la confiance et les relations durables avec nos partenaires communautaires.» a ajouté Fara Ndiaye.
Gender imbalances in the sports industry remain considerable. On top of their low representation in sports, very few women are in decision-making positions such as head coach, club manager or referee. They are less represented in management, marketing, management, or other disciplines in the sports industry. « Teaming Up: African LeadHERs meet BAL4HER » launched by Speak Up Africa and the Basketball African League focuses on leveraging sport as a key driver of gender equality and social and economic transformation in Africa. Through this mentorship program, 6 young African female athletes from Senegal, Egypt and Rwanda will benefit from the leadership and networking experience of six female leaders in the sports industry. Over a period of six months, the mentees will be coached by mentors to strengthen their skills and knowledge on issues such as gender inequality in sport, mental health, public speaking, and storytelling.
The selected participants are:
« The overarching goal of our league is to provide a platform in which young women and girls can take full advantage of the transformative power of sport. This mentorship programme is an ideal springboard to increasing women’s representation and give a new lease of life to the sports industry ».
Amadou Gallo Fall, Basketball Africa League President
Allison Feaster, Vice President, Team Operations & Organizational Growth and mentor on this program said that sharing experiences is key to changing the way young girls perceive their careers and their role in the sports industry.
« Mentorship is about cultivating confidence, inspiring trust in one’s abilities, and connecting young aspiring talent to seasoned leaders who are invested in their development. Thanks to my leadership role in one of the most respected sports franchises in the world, I can now create space for exposure and be a conduit to young African women aspiring to work in professional sports. It is an honor and privilege for me, and I can’t wait to empower and engage in a meaningful way with these future leaders! ».
Allison Feaster, Director of Player Development at the Boston Celtics
« Young Africans, and young women, are key agents of change at the community, national and regional levels, across all sectors. We need to support initiatives that enable them to realize their full potential to achieve the African Union’s Agenda 2063. »
Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa
« Teaming Up: Africa’s LeadHERs meet BAL4HER » initiative reinforces the long-standing partnership between Speak Up Africa and the Basketball African League. In addition to its commitment to gender equality, the Basketball African League is also engaged with Speak Up Africa on the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In 2021, the Basketball African League partnered with Speak Up Africa to celebrate World Neglected Tropical Disease Day through raising awareness and distributing Covid-19 protection kits. This commitment will continue this year with a community-based outreach activity against NTDs scheduled on the sidelines of the Basketball African League « Finals » from 21-27 May 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.
114 participants from Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, France, and Senegal took part in these virtual conversations held on March 14 and 28. The webinars brought together a dozen speakers from various sectors, including health, civil society, and sport. The first one convened the Voix EssentiELLES and was held on the theme « Voix EssentiELLES, all committed to a more inclusive world » while the second focused on « Leadership, Mentorship and Diasporas: the power of sport to achieve gender equality ».
During these online conversations, speakers highlighted the need to address inequalities that prevent women from accessing digital services as well as gender stereotypes that persist in sport. The panelists of the first webinar included Gbazalé Irad, President of Femmes en Action (Côte d’Ivoire), Bénédicte Bailou, President of Femin-IN (Burkina Faso), Oussama Sagna, Project Officer at JGEN (Senegal), Aissatou Lopy Mbaye Ndiaye, Vice-president of the Global Fund Country Coordination Mechanism in Senegal. These speakers recalled that inequalities in access to digital services accentuate gender inequalities. They insisted on the need to bridge the existing digital gap to ensure equitable women’s access to digital opportunities.
« The digital space is one of the main factors for women’s empowerment. It is a crucial tool to propel the voices of all women to the public sphere on issues that concern them. »
Aissatou Lopy Mbaye Ndiaye, Vice President of the National Coordinating Mechanism of the Global Fund in Senegal.
The second webinar convened several sports personalities such as Diandra Tchatchouang Djadjo, former international basketball player, Axel Toupane, International basketball player, Syra Sylla, President of the association Ladies and Basketball and Marie-Laurence Archambault, CSR Manager at the African Basketball League .
In many communities, gender norms, social representations and the lack of adequate facilities still prevent girls from accessing certain types of so-called « boys’ sports ». On the other hand, at the professional level, wage inequalities, sexualization of women and the invisibilization of their sports performances in the media accentuate the inequalities between men and women. It is estimated, for example, that only 4% of the world’s sports media coverage is dedicated to women’s sports.
« There are injustices in sport, especially in women’s sports, that need to be addressed by creating initiatives not only by women but also by men to improve the representation of women in this field on and off the field. »
Axel Toupane, professional basketball player
Initiatives such as « Les prochains leaders » launched by Axel Toupane help to address these challenges. Through entrepreneurship and sport, this leadership program helps young girls from the African diaspora design, develop and implement their projects in France.
In the same regard, the Take Your Shot initiative founded by former basketball player Diandra Tchatchouang Djadjo, contributes to raising awareness among young girls from low-income districts in Paris to the practice of sport and to surpassing themselves.
« The digital space has a role to play in terms of reaching out to this new generation who is very connected. It is important for high-profile sportswomen to take the initiative in order to encourage a change in mentality and to inspire young girls through digital channels, whether it be in terms of sports or the sports industry. »
Diandra Tchatchouang Djadjo, former basketball player.
There is also an urgent need to address the narrative around women’s sport and the representation of women in sport for a fairer and more equitable world.
« Representation in sport is extremely important, as young girls do not imagine themselves in sports careers that they do not see or that are not promoted. In this sense, digital allows us to facilitate the connection between female sports role models and young girls but also to create our own media and platforms to change the narrative about women in sport. »
Syra Sylla, President of the Ladies and Basketball Association and Head of Communications at Sport Impact
Sport brings people together and sport promotes universal values that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this sense, it should be a specific tool to achieve the SDG 5 which aims to achieve gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.
Fortunately, community-based women’s organisations are working to reduce this gap by ensuring that women and girls are involved in decision-making processes that affect them. Through the Voix Essentielles initiative, these organisations in Burkina Faso, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are helping to amplify women’s voices and improve access to health services for them all.
Some of their activities, highlighted by Moussonews…
In Senegal, Sope Sa Njabot has been informing, raising awareness and advising people on all aspects of the fight against tuberculosis since 2006. A community approach that is bearing fruit in Mbour thanks to support from Speak up Africa through the Voix Essentielles programme.
In Mbour, located on La Petite-Côte, about 80 km south of Dakar and bordering the seaside resort of Saly, Alimatou Sadiya Samb, community liaison officer for the Sope Sa Njabot association, regularly visits people in her neighbourhood to show them how to protect themselves against tuberculosis. This community volunteer is involved in a campaign to prevent and treat tuberculosis, even in the most remote areas of her commune during the rainy season. (…) Alimatou Sadiya Samb fully embraces her mission.
« We sometimes come across people with mental disorders or people with disabilities living with the disease without help. We are the relays who become their mothers and fathers. We are the ones who make sure they get better because they have no one to help them. »
Alimatou Sadiya Samb, community liaison officer for the Sope Sa Njabot association
Senegal has recorded good results in terms of infant, neonatal and maternal mortality in recent years. Behind this success lies a tremendous effort by the Bajenu Gox. We went to Thiès to see the recipe for the success of these “neighbourhood godmothers”, recipients of Voix Essentielles funds.
On a chilly morning, after light rain had fallen on Thiès the day before, the Bajenu Gox, all dressed in white, organised a chat session, one of their flagship activities. At these events, they share their knowledge with each other. Adja Fatou Badiane, a Bajenu Gox (which means “neighbourhood godmother” in Wolof), heads the Bajenu Gox association of Thiès, which has more than 250 active members. Adja Fatou Badiane describes the main areas they work in:
« We advocate for action in three areas to reduce maternal mortality. The first one is about women’s decision to wait too long before going to hospital. We raise women’s awareness so they don’t wait for the last minute before going to a health facility. Going to hospital late poses enormous risks. Secondly, we also intervene in the late provision of care in hospital. Finally, difficult access to certain health structures is our third area of advocacy ».
Adja Fatou Badiane, Bajenu Gox
People suffering from tuberculosis are cared for and monitored free of charge by the association – Coeur Valide – in San Pedro in Côte d’Ivoire. Among them are more than 200 lesbians. Their support is further facilitated by the Voix Essentielles programme.
Being a lesbian and having a disease like TB is an uphill struggle in Côte d’Ivoire. In San Pedro, the Coeur Valide association keeps coming to their rescue. Christiane, 30, owes her survival to this association. She is a trader who belongs to this sexual minority, and has suffered from tuberculosis for a long time. She is now cured thanks to the association’s monitoring programme. With a lump in her throat and her eyes filled with tears, the young woman testifies that she has survived thanks to the care provided by Cœur Valide.
« The disease was slowly eating away at me. I was suffering on a daily basis. But when I found out about the Cœur Valide project, I was able to benefit from the care provided, free of charge. I feel much better. »
Christiane, Trader
The issue of menstrual hygiene management is a concern in many African countries. Menstruation is sometimes a reason for girls to drop out of school. In Côte d’Ivoire, the association Femme en Action (Fenac) advocates for the distribution of hygiene kits in schools. It has carried out several activities and campaigns to raise awareness as part of the Voix Essentielles programme.
Adopting a policy to distribute sanitary towels to teenage girls in schools in Côte d’Ivoire is now the Femme en action association’s fight. Nadège Epi Kouadou, the project’s coordinator, has not had a moment’s rest since she began supporting Speak Up Africa with the Voix Essentielles programme for the Top fille project. With her team, she travels to establishments in Abgoville, 71 kilometres from Abidjan, to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene management.
Malaria is the leading cause of mortality in Burkina Faso. Among the thousands of preventable deaths are several women and children. In Bittou, a town on the Ghana and Togo border, the Widows and Orphans Association is at the forefront of the fight against this deadly endemic with support from the Voix Essentielles fund.
Although the mother acts to guarantee the wellbeing of children, households and the community, the decision to seek health care does not rest with the head of the household. This gender inequality slows down the many efforts underway to control and eliminate malaria in the Centre-East region of Burkina Faso. The Bittou Association of Widows and Orphans (AVORB) aims to break this social barrier through its malaria and tuberculosis prevention advocacy.
For six months, the president of the association, Maïmouna Savadogo, and her facilitators held information sessions for women on how to prevent malaria and on how important it is for them to seek health care. Heads of households are also educated during these community talks.
Discussing sexual health issues in the commune of Garango, a town in the Centre-East region of Burkina Faso, could be considered an affront to morality. Strategically and with a community-based approach, as part of the Voix Essentielles programme, the Gnintowama association has been able to establish exchanges around the issue of sexual and reproductive health. Thousands of local women and girls are now enlightened on the subject and make independent decisions.
Sabine (not her real name), 17, owes her life to the Gnintawoma association. She had tried to have a clandestine abortion. The bleeding hadn’t stopped, to the extent that some of her friends were concerned about her health. The educational talk held by the Gnintawoma association in their school came as a sound of relief. At the end of May 2022, Sabine’s high school in Garango was chosen for a campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of abortion and drugs, but also on contraceptive methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Selon l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS), près de onze millions d’Africains sombrent dans la pauvreté chaque année à cause des dépenses de santé laissées à leur charge. Des millions d’autres n’ont pas accès aux services de santé dont ils ont besoin en raison de la faible couverture des services de santé. Les femmes, les enfants, les personnes en situation d’handicap ou autres groupes vulnérables sont les premières victimes des faiblesses des systèmes de santé. En dehors de la forte morbidité que ces difficultés d’accès aux soins entraînent, elles font perdre plus de 2400 milliards de dollars à l’Afrique chaque année [1].
Pour inverser la tendance, les jeunes africains se mobilisent sur le continent à travers des innovations dans la santé digitale ou encore leurs engagements associatifs pour assurer un accès équitable aux services de santé dans leurs pays.
« Les jeunes ont leur mot à dire au sein des processus décisionnels en matière de santé. Si nous voulons construire un avenir durable et assurer des systèmes de santé inclusifs, leur participation est indispensable car ce sont eux les leaders de demain »
Aminata Badiane Thioye, responsable de communication et plaidoyer à l’Alliance Nationale des Jeunes pour la Santé de la Reproduction et la PF (ANJSRPF)
Un paradoxe : les femmes sont en première ligne des soins de santé (70% des agents), mais elles n’occupent que 25% des postes de décision dans les systèmes de santé. Dans le domaine de la recherche et de l’innovation, les femmes ne représentent que 30% des chercheurs et innovateurs.
« Pour des soins de santé inclusifs, de qualité et adéquats, il est nécessaire de changer de paradigme en matière de politiques de recherche et d’innovation. Ce n’est qu’en misant sur le potentiel des femmes en matière de recherche et d’innovation que nous pourrons mieux cerner les besoins de santé spécifiques des femmes et y apporter des solutions innovantes ».
Marie Chantal Umunyana, PDG Umubyeyi Elevate, récipiendaire du programme Women Innovators Incubator
« Pour résoudre les problèmes de santé publique sur le continent africain, la participation de tout un chacun est essentielle. Notre objectif est d’offrir une plateforme aux leaders scientifiques africains et d’impliquer la jeunesse et les femmes, à travers nos programmes et initiatives afin d’améliorer la sécurité sanitaire et la couverture sanitaire universelle ».
Yacine Djibo, Fondatrice et directrice exécutive de Speak Up Africa.
[1] Stratégie pour des infrastructures sanitaires de qualité en Afrique 2021-2030, Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD)
Recipients of Voix EssentiELLES Fund from Burkina Faso, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire are participating in the meeting under the theme « Voix EssentiELLES speak up against gender-based violence ». A round table on the regional challenges of the fight against gender-based violence as well as institutional meetings to sensitize communities and policy makers on their role in the elimination of violence against women and girls are on the agenda.
According to a UN Women report published in September 2022, nearly 65% of women worldwide reported having experienced verbal, physical or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime. At least 6 out of 10 women believe that public sexual harassment has worsened since Covid-19. This violence is not only a major obstacle to the elimination of the HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, but also has a significant impact on global economy. Without urgent action, UN Women’s report warns, it would take 300 years to close the gap in legal protection or representation of women in power and leadership.
« Urgent action must be taken if we are to meet SDG 5 – achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls – which is essential for sustainable development. Creating a just and prosperous society is impossible when women and girls, key members of our communities, continue to be victims of violence and inequality of all kinds. »
Abouma Sévérine Nebie, president of Association pour l’Intégration Économique et Sociale des Femmes dans le développement (IES-Femmes) which is involved in Voix EssentiELLES initiative in Burkina Faso.
« It is crucial to strengthen the awareness and commitment of all stakeholders for the elimination of gender-based inequalities and violence. In this regard, Voix EssentiELLES organisations meeting in Abidjan is a real springboard. »
Khady Cissé, founder of Organisation pour la Santé de l’Enfant de la Femme et de la Famille (OSEFF), which is involved in the Voix EssentiELLES initiative in Côte d’Ivoire
Launched by Speak Up Africa in 2021 in partnership with CHANEL Foundation and the Global Fund, Voix EssentiELLES initiative promotes the involvement of community-based women and girls’ organizations in decision-making and strengthens their capacity to influence policies that affect their health. With funding from Voix EssentiELLES fund, the organizations involved in the initiative are on the front line to fight violence and inequality against women and girls in their countries.
« Whether it is at health, economic or social level, great progress has been made whenever women and girls have the capacity to express their full potential. It is therefore essential to financially and technically support women’s organizations working to strengthen women’s leadership and reverse current gender inequalities. »
Fatimata Mamadou Lamine SY, Executive Secretary of the Association Sénégalaise pour l’avenir de la femme et de l’enfant (ASAFE), which is involved in the Voix EssentiELLES initiative in Senegal.
Sali was only 9 years old when I met her during one of my outreach tours in northern Senegal. Yet her young body had already been scarred for life by female genital mutilation. The anger and sorrow I saw in the girl’s eyes reminded me of the essence of my commitment, 25 years ago, against female genital mutilation in Senegal.
Being from a family of female excision practitioners, my fight to preserve women’s bodies and dignity has always seemed obvious to me, regardless of the stigma and hostility resulting from it. The rapid development of our continent in recent years may lead one to believe that these practices no longer exist.
Still, an estimated 50 million girls are at risk of being subjected to genital mutilation in Africa by 2030, according to UNICEF. In Senegal, nearly 2 million girls and young women underwent genital mutilation in 2019. The prevalence of female genital mutilation among girls under 15 years of age is 16%.
This violence still persists mainly because of gender inequalities in our communities and patriarchal values and superstitions that crystalize fantasies around women’s bodies. In addition to being an extreme violation of their dignity and freedom, genital mutilation undermines women’s mental and sexual health. According to UNAIDS, such violence increases women’s vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, which affects women two to six times more than men in sub-Saharan Africa.
Using the same surgical instrument without sterilization, as well as the increased risk of bleeding during sexual intercourse, highly increases HIV risk among victims. Not even the medicalized practice of genital mutilation is without risk.
In many cases, the trauma and other psychological consequences of such violence undermine girls’ confidence and ability to insist on condom use from their partners. Memories of this painful experience and the shame of their scarred bodies prevent them from seeking screening or care for even the most minor genital infections.
Giving women and girls back control of their bodies, their lives and their futures is urgent for an effective response to HIV. How can we accept that even today, 93% of women in Senegal do not have the freedom to make their own decisions about health, contraception or simply to choose when and how to have sex with their partner? As long as these inequalities exist, as long as genital mutilation persists, and as long as women are silenced about their bodies and their sexuality, the elimination of HIV will unfortunately remain a wishful thinking…
Organizations such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria are helping women and girls to claim their sexual and reproductive health rights through empowerment programmes and access to education, as well as actions to remove gender-based barriers to accessing health services. In Senegal, hundreds of girls aged 13 to 18 have received sexual health support through the « Voix Essentielles » initiative launched in July 2021 by Speak Up Africa and supported by the Global Fund.
These young girls, exposed to sexual activity at an early age, usually with adults, are now empowered and able to avoid risky sexual practices and take control of their health. Such programmes for women and girls must be supported, expanded and strengthened by governments, international agencies, private sector and civil society. This is the only way we can effectively tackle gender-based violence and finally put an end to AIDS…
This article was originally published on Jeune Afrique
Chaque 28 mai est consacré à la célébration de la journée mondiale de l’hygiène menstruelle. Cette journée nous concerne tous sans distinction de sexe, d’âge, de race, de situation géographique et de religion. Pourtant au Burkina Faso, parler des menstrues est toujours un sujet tabou. Cette difficulté à parler des menstrues en général et en particulier des comportements à adopter pour une bonne hygiène menstruelle freine l’avancée de nombreux efforts qui sont faits au quotidien pour l’égalité des genres.
La menstruation est un processus biologique naturel et normal qui témoigne d’une bonne santé reproductive de la femme. Elle ne doit pas être perçue comme un phénomène qui dégage une aura négative, de la peur, de la honte et de la gêne. C’est ainsi que cette journée mondiale de l’hygiène menstruelle se veut être une occasion de briser les tabous sur la menstruation, de sensibiliser et engager une conversation sur la thématique. Elle a pour but également d’interpeller les différents acteurs et décideurs clés sur la précarité menstruelle.
Parmi les Objectifs du Développement Durable (ODD), l’ODD 6 « Eau propre et assainissement » vise à assurer la disponibilité et la gestion durable de l’eau potable et de l’assainissement, et un des buts précis implique de donner accès aux femmes et aux filles à des installations sanitaires et à des mesures d’hygiène adéquates d’ici 2030. Il est donc indispensable d’aligner la thématique de l’hygiène menstruelle comme une priorité de santé publique.
Pour dynamiser la célébration de la journée mondiale de l’hygiène menstruelle et apporter notre contribution dans la lutte, nous organisons incessamment des évènements. En guise d’exemples, nous pouvons citer les campagnes digitales, les causeries éducatives, les formations sur la confection des serviettes hygiéniques réutilisables, des plaidoyers, des activités de mobilisation de ressource personnelles pour doter des serviettes hygiéniques réutilisables aux jeunes filles et femmes vulnérables.
Toutes ces actions traduisent notre vision : « celle de créer un monde dans lequel toutes les jeunes filles et femmes sont épanouies ». Aussi ces actions ont pour but de :
Le 24 mai de cette année, nous avons lancé une campagne digitale sur nos réseaux de communication. Aussi, le samedi 28 mai, nous avons tenu une discussion sur les menstrues de façon générale et les mythes autours de la thématique. Cette discussion a réuni plus d’une vingtaine de nos membres et prendra fin par une séance aérobic pour dénoncer les nombreuses difficultés auxquelles les jeunes filles et femmes sont confrontées pendant leurs menstrues.
Ne restez pas en marge, nous devons toutes et tous briser les tabous autour de la santé et de la gestion de l’hygiène menstruelle, alors engagez-vous également à nos côtés !
Par Farida Tiemtore, Présidente des Héroïnes du Faso et récipiendaire du Fonds Voix EssentiELLES.
Almost a year after the launch of the African LeadHERs campaign, which aims to promote and amplify the voices and actions of African women, from all sectors of society, working daily for gender equality, and the first ever African LeadHERs Forum in March 2022, Speak Up Africa is launching its African LeadHERs podcast in collaboration with Entre-Elles, a platform for expression and sharing created by Tombany Kouloufoua.
« The Entre-Elles podcast is extremely proud to be working with Speak Up Africa to launch the African LeadHers podcast series. Amplifying the voice of the world’s women is at the heart of the Entre-Elles mission and we are delighted to be able to celebrate Africa Day alongside the African LeadHers of today and tomorrow. »
Tombany Kouloufoua, founder of Entre-Elles.
The first six-episodes series of the podcast will highlight the profiles and actions of participants in the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, which aims to support women and girls in all of their diversity, by meaningfully engaging them in decision-making processes and spaces that influence health policies and programs. At the podcast’s launch, the Senegalese slam poet Samira Fall took up the subject and developed an audio recital on the importance of women’s voices in the public space. This text echoes the African LeadHERs Forum Manifesto to which Ysaora Thibus, fencer and French Olympic medallist, Diandra Tchouatchang, basketball player and French Olympic medallist and Badgyalcassie, choreographer and influencer contributed.
« The African LeadHERs Forum is a very important platform for us, professional athletes, to share our experiences with a focus on transmission and in a spirit of sisterhood. I met some great people there, such as the recipients of the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, who have inspired me enormously. These discussions have changed me and I am convinced that by reclaiming the narrative, we can break the bias. »
Yasora Thibus in her interview at the Forum
On May 25, Speak Up Africa also presented the Union Sportive de Ouakam with a cheque for one million CFA francs from the Funds allocated to the organization at the first ever Sport Impact Award ceremony organised by Sport Impact. In March 2022, Speak Up Africa received the Jury Prize for the impact of the activity held in January 2021 during the celebration of World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day. On that day, Speak Up Africa, along with the Yard agency, the Ministry of Health and Social Action and key partners in the fight against NTDs, organized the painting of a participatory fresco on the grounds of US Ouakam, at the foot of the Renaissance Monument, as well as the painting of portraits of Sadio Mané, Omar Sy, Issa Rae and Tacko Fall. The activation generated over 10 million impressions on social networks through the engagement of influencers Observateur and Fatou Guinea and the virality of the content.
« We were delighted to receive the Jury Award from Sport en Commun, which highlights Speak Up Africa’s work in the field of sport and influence, and we are now pleased to continue our collaboration with US Ouakam, enabling them to strengthen their activities and create an attractive environment for women’s sport in communities. The Kigali Summit on NTDs and malaria will take place next month in Rwanda and it is important for us to continue our advocacy through this mural so that everyone continues to say No to NTDs! »
Yacine Djibo, Speak Up Africa’s Executive Director
On that day, ahead of the World Menstrual Hygiene Day held every 28 May, Speak Up Africa gave its long-time partner, Special Olympics Senegal, a batch of 1,200 sanitary towels, intended for athletes living with an intellectual disability, to protect themselves better each month, during their menstrual cycle.
« I would like to thank Speak Up Africa for supporting our female athletes by distributing these sanitary towels. Menstruation is a natural reality, but girls and women living with intellectual disabilities often find it more difficult to manage their periods with dignity, and the first barrier is access to tools to help them manage. These sanitary towels will allow our athletes to better manage their periods and thus be able to live their lives more decently »
Rajah Sy, Director of Special Olympics Senegal.