Equipop is convinced that fair and sustainable development for all can only be achieved through the fight for women's rights. For the NGO, the need to collaborate with feminist activists in West Africa was therefore obvious, and this was formalized in 2018 through a fruitful partnership with representatives of West African feminist movements.
YOUNG FEMINISTS IN WEST AFRICA: KEY PLAYERS
Every day in West Africa, activists, groups, and movements work on social media, in communities, and in national associations to promote gender equality, combat gender-based violence, defend the rights of women and girls to have control over their own bodies, and encourage young girls to assert their rights. Collaborating with these committed feminists and supporting them at various levels is a natural part of Equipop's approach, which focuses on the participation of women and young people and support for local initiatives.
“It’s an opportunity to meet other feminist women, learn from their experiences, and above all, reflect together on strategies we can implement to make our voices heard.”
Irmine Ayinhouton
CREATE SPACES FOR DISCUSSION FOR THESE ACTIVISTS
Aware of the importance of strengthening ties and solidarity among activists who, despite living in contexts with their own specificities, face certain common issues, Equipop wanted to bring together around thirty feminist activists from French-speaking West Africa. A meeting was held in Ouagadougou from November 27 to 30, 2018, attended by 28 feminist activists from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. Mobilize During these few days, these young people were able to share their experiences and commitments and organize collectively.
This workshop enabled them to agree on the main messages to be conveyed collectively, both internationally and in their local contexts. Participants also took part in an Equipop Lab to create innovative and participatory mobilization actions, particularly in the context of the 2019 G7 summit.
CALLING ON G7 POLITICAL DECISION-MAKERS
Following the resolutely feminist shift of the Canadian G7, the 2019 G7 summit in France was an opportunity to amplify the voices of these young women who are actively defending their rights in their own countries. Since November 2018, Equipop has been supporting these young feminists in implementing the action plan created during the workshop. The primary objective of these social and political mobilization activities was to engage G7 policy makers. The young feminists also wanted to raise awareness among both West African and international communities about the importance of bringing issues related to women's and girls' rights to the forefront of international negotiations, in order to demand greater commitment and more financial resources.
PUTTING THE VOICES OF YOUNG FEMINISTS BACK AT THE HEART OF DECISION-MAKING SPACES
Taking feminist voices into account in the development of public policy and political commitments at the local, regional, or international level is an important lever for change. However, these voices, particularly those from West African countries, are rarely taken into account or invited to express themselves, even when the decisions made affect them.
“My voice matters, and my sisters' voices matter. Listen to us; we have a say in what affects us.”
Nené Fatou Maricou
One of Equipop's priorities is to restore the ability of young feminists in West Africa to participate and express their experiences, needs, and demands in decision-making processes. During 2019, they were able to participate on numerous occasions in high-level events such as the Women 7 Summit in Paris in May 2019. Meetings with key political figures also took place, such as the participation of one of the group's members in a meeting with the G7 sherpas in February. At each meeting, the young feminists were able to convey the collective's messages and speak with one voice.
