Women make a substantial contribution to Africa’s economy. Whether as farmers, employees, or entrepreneurs, they play an active role in the economic life of their countries. Yet they continue to be largely excluded from decisions that affect their lives, health, and well-being. To change this reality, they need to be empowered and supported to participate in decision-making processes, so that policies affecting their health are truly effective and consider their experiences, needs, and cultural contexts.

Launched in July 2021, Voix EssentiELLES is an initiative that aims to improve access to resources and strengthen the leadership of women and young people in Francophone West and Central Africa, enabling them to meaningfully influence national policies and programs in support of sustainable development.

To achieve this goal, Voix EssentiELLES relies on an integrated approach built around complementary pillars. First, a catalytic fund supports initiatives led by women-led organizations by providing access to flexible and appropriate financial resources. Second, the University of ExcELLEnce offers a space for capacity-building, leadership development and mentorship, equipping women and young people with the skills needed to advocate effectively and assume influential roles within decision-making bodies.

Together, these mechanisms aim to create an ecosystem that fosters the emergence of committed leaders capable of transforming community priorities into inclusive and sustainable public policies and actions.

The first phase of the project (2021–2024) supported 38 women- and girls-led organizations in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. The second phase, launched in 2025, expanded Voix EssentiELLES to three additional countries: Benin, Togo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Voix EssentiELLES impact:

• 76 women-led organizations working on six key thematic areas (Malaria, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Gender-Based Violence, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Climate Change)
• 5 national networks (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Senegal)
• 74 women have entered decision-making spaces since the start of the project
• 13 women participated in the mentoring program
• Over 3,500 people have received capacity-building support through the University of ExcELLEnce