After successive lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 crisis, West African feminist movements needed more than ever to come together again, to meet, to reconnect.
Since 2018, Equipop has been supporting existing regional collective dynamics in French-speaking West Africa by facilitating online and in-person spaces for exchange between French-speaking West African feminists around specific events or themes. In order to support collective dynamics and stand alongside feminist movements in West Africa, Equipop aims to provide activists with resources and spaces (both physical and online) to enable them to exchange ideas and build and strengthen alliances with feminist activists in other French-speaking areas. This led to the creation of the Feminist Agora, a space for collective exchange and work, which brought together 50 feminist activists from West and Central Africa in Niger for five days to lay the foundations for collaboration between feminist activists in West Africa for targeted collective action. The Feminist Agora is a space for exchange and co-construction facilitated by Equipop in collaboration with ROAJELF Benin, IPBF (Burkina Faso), Femin-in (Burkina Faso), the Ivorian League, the Club des Jeunes Filles Leaders de Guinée, GMC (Mali), Voix de Femmes (Mauritania), the Niger Young Women Leaders Unit, ROAJELF Senegal, YWA (Senegal), and the Network of Young Feminists of West Africa.
Spending time together to build a shared feminist future
Coming together and, above all, sharing their experiences and expertise not only allowed them to forge strong bonds, but also to set a common goal in French-speaking West Africa. This week was an opportunity to bring together feminist activists from eight French-speaking West African countries, from different organizations and cultures, to spend five days discussing what unites them and their common challenges. Throughout the week, participants who wished to do so were able to share and train their sisters on a variety of topics, ranging from supporting survivors of gender-based violence to photography and reflections on the right to freely dispose of one's body, thus contributing to the collective empowerment of all the activists present. Beyond sharing each other's expertise, the Agora was a French-speaking feminist space that promoted values of kindness and sisterhood. Each day, discussion circles provided a space for participants to question and share their thoughts on topics related to their activism. Other moments dedicated to conviviality and sharing emotions allowed participants to address difficult issues, such as mental health and well-being, and to express political solidarity with one another. Finally, the gathering of all these feminist experts was an opportunity for them to connect with their elders, notably by referring to the African Charter on Feminist Principles to guide certain discussions, but also by inviting feminist pioneers such as Ms. Zeinabou Hadari to participate in the exchanges. This collective moment also gave rise to common concerns and challenges for feminists.
The safety of feminist activists
One of the major issues that feminists have decided to raise awareness about among the collective is the safety of activists. While activism has evolved and allowed for greater inclusion of feminist activists in the region, they are also exposed to multiple threats. This is a sensitive issue that must be addressed not only by the activists themselves, but also by feminist and women's rights organizations such as Equipop. It is no longer just a question of protecting activists in the civic sphere; solutions must also be found to the violence they face in the digital sphere. Online harassment, revenge porn, deep fakes—these are all forms of violence that they must learn to respond to and circumvent. What strategies can they use to avoid exposure at the expense of their mental health? What information should they disclose or withhold in the digital space? When should they let go? Practical tools, experience sharing, and other advice were exchanged among them. The activists now want to explore this topic further and give it more space within their collective spaces.
The rise of anti-rights movements
In addition to the COVID-19 health crisis weakening feminist movements, the instability of the political context in the region has reinforced the emergence of anti-rights movements. We are seeing a rise in these movements, which violently attack the achievements and voices of feminist movements. The voices of feminists are becoming inaudible, which is why it is important to have safe and supportive spaces where they can reflect on feminist strategy and resistance.
