With one week to go before the opening of the Generation Equality Forum on June 30 in Paris, members of the West African Young Feminists Network are speaking out to ensure that equality does not remain a concept, but becomes a firm and quantified commitment. There can be no equality without a dedicated budget.
Their opinion piece has already been published since June 23 in the media of eight countries:
- Benin, La Nouvelle Tribune
- Burkina Faso, Sidwaya
- Ivory Coast, Citizen media
- France, Liberation
- Guinea, Guinea news
- Mali, Le Républicain: print edition
- Niger, The Sahel: paper format
- Senegal, Le Soleil: print edition
In 1995, Beijing hosted the first major global gathering for equality, where countries from around the world made commitments. Most of us weren't even born yet. So we have grown up in a world where promises to combat gender-based violence have not been kept.
We, Young Feminists of French-speaking West Africa, are aware of the efforts regularly made by our leaders in writing magnificent speeches. But we demand real financial investment in the fight against gender-based and sexual violence. Better one victim cared for and saved than a hundred speeches repeating the same rhymes. When we know that 30% of West African girls aged 15 to 19 are married, divorced, or widowed... what future do they have without resources or support structures? When millions of girls who have undergone female genital mutilation need support in their recovery, building holistic care centers will not be achieved with declarations of principle! How many victims of violence could be cared for by releasing more resources to local associations, including in the most remote areas? One more question: do you think it is wise not to trust the women's and girls' organizations that work tirelessly every day in the field with victims?
Numerous international declarations have been made to make sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services more accessible to girls and young women. However, these promises have yet to be translated into national legislation in many countries. In reality, these rights are therefore far from guaranteed. In our desire for change, we, the members of the West African Young Feminist Network, demand appropriate and non-stigmatizing health services. What are governments waiting for to support us?
Twenty-five years after Beijing, we are once again following up on the commitments made by our governments at the Generation Equality Forum, which is taking place from June 30 to July 2 in Paris. Since we are the "equality generation," give us the means to co-create and live in a world free of gender-based violence (GBV)! Too many girls and women are still victims of forced marriage, sexual mutilation, and other forms of GBV. They follow the choices dictated by society and not those they would have made themselves. Feminists continue to be in danger for the cause they defend, and the issue of SRHR continues to be a second-class issue for our governments. How long must we continue to voice our discontent?
Today, we appeal to you, the States present at the Forum, and particularly the West African States: seize this opportunity to invest in education programs for girls and women, subsidize local feminist organizations, and systematically include us in the discussion. Because it is together that we will write a new page in history.
Today, at 1 p.m. GMT, a major virtual feminist "world tour" will begin as part of the global #StopTalkingStartFunding campaign. For 24 hours, feminists from around the world will share their realities online through activist events. We will be there. And we are counting on your presence. It may not seem like much, but your presence, even if only virtual, will contribute to this progressive movement for the rights of women and girls around the world.
[vc_separator color= »#b3ada9″]Signatures Benin: IrmineAyihounton, Carine Hountondji, Jonas Kindafodji, Mariette Montcho, Mistoura Salou Burkina Faso: VivianeDah Konditamdé, Wendyam Micheline Kabore, Ezoma Juliette Nathalie Bakyono Côte d’Ivoire: AgatheBlanc, N’tchin Ephrasie Coulibaly Guinea: HadjaIdrissa Bah, Denise Epiphanie Haba, Antoine Fassou Loua Mali: Awadite Mah Camara, OumouSalif Toure Mauritania: DieynabaNdiom Niger: HalimatouZika Sombeize Senegal: RoseDiémé, Nene Fatou Maricou Rocha, Zipporah Ndione, Aminata Thioye
