On July 17, 2023, the Women Deliver global conference opened in Kigali. Running until July 20, it is one of the largest gatherings aimed at advancing gender equality.
Activists, associations, politicians, philanthropists, and governments are gathering at the Women Deliver conference to reflect together on how to defend rights, particularly sexual and reproductive rights and health. Equipop is there with its partners, amplifying their voices. For these young French-speaking activists, being heard, even in spaces dedicated to gender equality, remains a challenge. These spaces are still predominantly English-speaking and dominated by large institutions.
Young feminists have messages to convey for a transformative approach to SRHR, messages that we support. In particular, they are fighting to ensure that the movement is aware of the power relations that structure it, including those related to language, and works to be inclusive by deploying an intersectional approach that leaves no one behind. They reiterate their need for funding and the need to address the issue of activist burnout and the safety of human rights defenders. Finally, they call for the fight against gender-based and sexual violence to be placed at the center of the agenda.
[blockquote text="No agenda for sexual and reproductive rights and health can be transformative if we do not accompany it with feminist and intersectional approaches. From educating boys to empowering girls, from strengthening the legal framework to providing holistic support to survivors, we, as societies and politicians, must act now. We will not wait any longer." The Francophone Feminist Collective of West Africa" text_color="#000000"]
