Founded in 2004 by women leaders from 26 associations in the Savanes region of Togo, the Savanes Women and Development Network (REFED/S) aims to serve as a platform for dialogue and training to amplify women’s voices and promote their empowerment. Its General Assembly brings together delegates from member associations, the Board of Directors, and an executive committee led by a Coordinator. To date, REFED brings together more than 400 women’s associations, cooperatives, and groups, whose activities range from combating gender-based violence to advocating for socioeconomic rights, access to education for girls, and environmental protection.
20 Years of Action
On April 3, 2024, REFED celebrated 20 years of advocating for the rights of women and girls in Togo. This experience has established the organization as a key player in the public discourse, bringing attention to social issues that are often overlooked. Its main focus in 2024: the fight against early and forced marriages of young girls, a persistent scourge in the Savanes region. Through awareness campaigns, training workshops with community leaders, and advocacy efforts with local authorities, REFED has mobilized the community to protect girls’ rights, promote their continued education, and monitor efforts to prevent female genital mutilation.
Women in Politics
Togo is among the West African countries where women’s participation in politics is on the rise, with the proportion of women in parliament increasing from 1.2% in 1997 to 18.7% in 2020. However, much remains to be done to achieve gender parity. Ahead of the July 2025 municipal elections, REFED organized a national workshop in Lomé to strengthen women’s public engagement. Participants and potential candidates drafted a declaration with concrete proposals: strengthening political training and education for women, encouraging political parties to support female candidates, and creating mentorship networks.
“Let’s work together!”
Ms. KABISSA-LAMBONI Issoyotou Confort, REFED Coordinator, appointed in March 2025 as Senator of the Republic
FOCUS ON… THE WOMEN OF THE SAVANNAH
In March 2025, REFED released its annual report on the situation of women in the Savanes region. Produced in collaboration with its member organizations, this document provides a clear overview of the progress made and the challenges faced. For the past three years, this region in the far north of Togo has been plagued by terrorist attacks, which the authorities rarely report on. Families are displaced, schools are closing, resources are scarce…
This document has helped initiate a constructive dialogue with government officials to shape policies that benefit women in this region.
Equipop's sorore support
With financial and technical support from Equipop, REFED has identified 16 new cooperatives of vulnerable women. These women will receive training in income-generating activities. REFED also conducted an information tour for prefectural authorities on sexual and reproductive rights, urging mayors to include a budget line in their Municipal Development Plans to combat violence and early pregnancy.
To be continued…
For 2025–2026, REFED plans to expand its activities to all economic regions of Togo. It also aims to promote positive masculinity, establish a support center for rural women who are victims of gender-based violence, launch a digital platform for information and training, and implement an intergenerational mentoring program.
