The disparity in gender equality has been on the burner for a long time now. As a result more organizations are springing up to address issues relating to the girl child and women in Africa.
These organizations focus their efforts on the development and upliftment of women across all boards through various initiatives.
This article highlights these organizations and the work they are doing.
The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), Kenya
The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) is a pan- African, feminist and membership-based network based in Nairobi with over 800 members across 49 African countries. The organization exists to facilitate and coordinate the sharing of experiences, ideas, information, and strategies for human rights promotion among African women’s organizations through networking, communication, capacity-building, and advocacy at the regional and international levels.
FEMNET has been strategically positioned as a convenor, organizer and facilitator on dialogues around critical issues including women’s involvement in governance and leadership, promoting women’s economic justice, advocating for women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, ending gender-based violence and harmful practices (such as female genital mutilation and child marriage) and strengthening the women’s movement in Africa.
FEMNET continues to work on four major strategic areas – Feminist SOLIDARITY, Shifting POWER Structures and Relations, Amplifying Women and Girls’ VOICEs, and Building and Sustaining an Organization with SOUL – with the hope to even the playing field and advance the advocacy for women power.
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF)
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grantmaking foundation that supports local, national, and regional women’s organisations working towards the empowerment of African women and the promotion and realisation of their rights. By specialising in grant-making and focused, tailored movement-building programmes, AWDF work to strengthen and support the work of African women’s organisations.
Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA)
Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) is a feminist Pan-African leadership development organization founded in 1985 by a group of visionary African women in the United Kingdom, but later relocated to Africa with headquarters in Kampala, Uganda. Their work is rooted in feminist principles and beliefs guided by the Charter of Feminist Principles for African Feminists which define AMwA’s leadership development program and movement building activities.
AMwA envision a world in which African women are politically, economically, and socially autonomous and are champions of change in their lives and society. AMwA provides strategic direction in key Pan-African networks including NGO CSW Africa, Solidarity for African Women’s Rights, and the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign. Their work is spread across the continent with active programmes in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Zambia, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
Akina Mama wa Africa believes that if feminist and transformational leadership capabilities are enhanced, feminist research and knowledge is applied, women’s rights networks and strategic partnerships are strengthened for sustained engagement, and African women’s voices are amplified in critical spaces, then a critical mass of feminist leaders will be developed and women’s political, economic, and social status will be improved.
Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa
Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa is a non-profit organization that operates throughout Africa. To achieve its mission, Moremi Initiative pursues proactive strategies to develop and empower young women and girls to take on leadership roles in their communities.
Established in 2004 as Women’s Initiative for Empowerment and Leadership Development (WIELD) Foundation, Moremi Initiative grew from a Ghana-based leadership development program to a pan-African wide program.
The Moremi Initiative firmly believes that an investment in young women’s leadership will provide double dividends to make the world a better place for all. Strategies that seek to improve the lives of girls and women significantly affect at least half the population and potentially go to the core of families and communities. Preparing and equipping young women for transformational leadership requires providing space and opportunities for them to practice and grow as leaders, igniting their passion on key issues that affect their development, equipping them with tools, knowledge and resources and encouraging them to be agents of social change.
The organization envision a society where African women and girls thrive and participate fully in the transformation of the continent.
“Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs and change agents: Leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate discrimination against women. It firmly believes that the full and active participation of women in leadership is a prerequisite for positive change and development in Africa.”
Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR)
Women In Successful Careers (WISCAR ) is a non-profit organization focused on empowering and developing professional women to contribute to development and growth in Nigeria and indeed Africa. The WIN with WISCAR Mentoring programme is a structured mentoring program that provides strategic career advice, inspiration, guidance, and support to young career women to help unleash their potential, navigate career pathways, foster ambitions, and nurture dreams.
The organization has earned a reputation for building a formidable network of focused women who will facilitate a new chapter of experience in the workplace and in organizations. Since its inception in 2008, inspired by Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA). WISCAR has equipped several professional women with relevant skills and competencies to effectively manage their careers, assume leadership positions and contribute to nation building.
WISCAR’s vision is to institute a high-level career and mentoring network for entry/mid-career level professional women to aid progression and help them achieve their career aspirations; and influence the institution of gender-friendly policies in institutions. It’s also working to initiate and promote the emergence of a highly motivated, and talented female workforce that are not only valuable role models, but also agents of positive cultural and policy change within their respective organizations and spheres of influence.
The organization runs a podcast – The Sheroes of Beijing Stories – a platform used to tell stories of women doing exceptionally well in their chosen careers.
As more organizations continue to spring up for the advancement and equal opportunity of women, we continue to notice an increase in the number of women taking up leadership roles at multinationals and various spheres of life.
Is your organization women-focused and would love to be featured on our website? Reach out to us here and let’s spotlight you.
Original content from Philanthropy Circuit.
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