December 09, 2008

Twenty years of promoting women’s rights in Africa: What next?

As President- Elect Barrack Obama was announced the next President of the United States of America, African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) was approaching the climax of celebrating its yearlong 20th anniversary.

"FEMNET was set up in 1988 by a group of women who had the conviction about the strength of numbers in any transformation or change process. We are very lucky to witness the historical moment of President – Elect Obama’s election victory. There was a lot of crying, jubilation, hugging among people from different communities here in Kenya after the world listened to his inaugural speech. This election is not only significant in the lives of Americans it is for all people in the world. We want to see things change for the better – to have a more peaceful world where the main providers of development aid and humanitarian assistance are not the main producers and distributors of military arms especially small arms that have caused a lot of havoc in all regions in Africa.

"When the founders of the African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) resolved to set up the network 20 years ago they had a dream. They wanted to see to it that every woman in Africa is able to live in dignity, enjoy life free of violence and deprivation and be equal partners in the development of our dear continent Africa and in directing its affairs. They were convinced that the more women from different parts of Africa remained in contact with one another, the more they would learn from each others’ experiences, provide support for one another and build a strong women’s movement for the development of Africa.

"It is indeed commendable that our founder members took action and today we have a very strong, well respected and reputable Network of women organizations in Africa. This is a very good cause for celebration of 20 years achievements. The network has mobilized women at all levels to take action to transform their lives. It has raised issues affecting African women at regional and international levels and lobbied to ensure that these issues are part of the mainstream agenda. Where the issues required special attention FEMNET and its members have demanded for it. The Network has also played a critical role of documenting African women’s experiences and sharing them widely through seminars, dialogues and meetings, publication of reports, newsletters, journals, email and though its website...

"...Declarations and resolutions adopted in five star hotels have not resulted in the change we desire to see. The hit-and-run strategies that many organizations are engaged in will not and cannot bring about transformation of our continent and the improved status of women in Africa. It is time to change gear and get back to the basics.

It is on this premise that FEMNET for the next 10 years will lead by example to enable activists to get back to basics. We shall continue to advocate and facilitate communication on issues that are of concern to women specifically for purposes of inspiring action. We shall commit more time and resources to bridge the gap between the board room work and activism and women’s grassroots organizing. This will be done by strengthening our network in the region and collaborating with other networks and regional organizations working on the promotion of women’s rights in Africa. We shall provide platforms for activists operating at different levels in the region to engage more often. We shall mobilize resources to support the documentation of the experiences of women’s grassroots organizing to ensure that these experiences inform our lobbying and advocacy work at the regional and international levels."

Read the full report by Norah Matovu, Executive Director of FEMNET, on the Pambazuku News website: "Weekly forum for social justice in Africa" at http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/52567