SIDA has committed to support the 2013/2015 core programme of FAS on “Women, Peace and Security” aimed at mobilising the power of women to forge peace and drive prosperity in Africa. This three year programme is based on two strategic pillars: |
Conférence Régionale des femmes parlementaires du G5 Sahel sur la lutte et la prévention de l'Extrémisme Violent, Ndjamena, Tchad, 19/20 Juin, 2017. "La paix dans le SAHEL, passe par une implication effective des femmes ". | |
La conférence s'est ténues les 19/20 Juin, 2017 à Ndjamena autour de la question de la lutte et la prévention de l'extrémisme violent dans l'espace du G5 sahel, notamment le Tchad, pays hote, le Niger la Mauritanie, le Mali et le Burkina Faso. Pour tenir compte de l'envergure sécuritaire de la région, le Cameroun était aussi représenté.
Cette conférence régionale a été organisée par le secrétariat Permanent du G5 Sahel et ONU Femmes en partenariat avec ONUWAS et l'Union Africaine à travers son bureau de l'Envoyé Spéciale pour les Femmes, la Paix et la Sécurité.
La cérémonie d'ouverture de la Conférence régionale des femmes parlementaires du G5 Sahel sur la prévention et la lutte contre l'extrémisme violent a eu au Palais de la Démocratie, à l?assemblée Nationale du Tchad Sous le haut patronage du Vice-Président de l?Assemblée Nationale du Tchad et présence effective des autorités locaux et internationaux.
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29th GIMAC Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in Africa Moving from Solemn Declarations to Solemn Deliverables | |
Addis Ababa, January 22, 2017 The 29th Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Consultative Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender Equality in the African Union and Member States took place on the 22th-23th January, 2017 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme: ?Gender Inclusive Youth Empowerment and Development for a Peaceful and Prosperous Africa.? The theme was aligned with the African Union (AU) dedication of the year 2017 as the year for youth under the theme: ?Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through investment in Youth?. The 29th GIMAC brought together over 300 delegates from over 30 countries, including representatives of Diplomatic Missions, African Union and United Nations officials, leading Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Gender in Africa and other interested groups in advancing women?s rights in Africa. Drawing from the two-day discussions, participants outlined key recommendations.
Read more here >> .
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PILOT PROJECT: TRAINING PEACEKEEPERS ON PREVENTION AND TACKLING OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SENEGAL | |
The pilot project " Training peacekeepers on prevention and tackling of sexual violence in Senegal" financed by the Embassy of Great Britain and supported by the Embassy of Japan in Senegal and the Office of the African Union Commission Special Envoy on women peace and security, initiated by the NGO Femmes Africa Solidarit? and its PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development (PAC) was lanched in September 2016. It contributed to the capacity building of Defense and Security Forces personnel on the prevention of sexual cases and abuse as urged by UN Security Council Zero Tolerance politicy. The project responds as well to the UK international policy on the protection and well-being of girls and women, ?the Prevention of Sexual Violence Initiative?.
The training module, comprises of 05 sub-modules articulated as follows:
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28th GIMAC Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in Africa Moving from Solemn Declarations to Solemn Deliverables | |
Participants at the 28th GIMAC session represented a diverse group of 200 women leaders, advocates, human rights defenders, young women and girls from across Africa and the Diaspora who deliberated on the current status of health, education, peace and security, economic empowerment, accountability and leadership for women?s rights in Africa. Drawing from the two-day discussions, participants outlined key recommendations.
Read more here >> .
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« Formation du personnel des missions de maintien de la paix sur la prévention et la lutte contre les abus sexuels» | |
Un accent particulier sur le genre et la vulnérabilité des femmes dans les zones de conflits
Du 19 au 21 Avril s’est tenue à Kaolack la 3eme formation de réplication du projet pilote : « Formation du personnel des missions de maintien de la paix sur la prévention et la lutte contre les abus sexuels». Elle a été organisée par le Centre PanAfricain pour le Genre la Paix et le Développement avec le soutien de l’Ambassade de Grande Bretagne au Sénégal, l’Ambassade du Japon au Sénégal et le Bureau de l’Envoyée Spéciale de l’Union Africaine(UA) pour les Femmes, la Paix et la Sécurité.
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27th GIMAC Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in Africa Moving from Solemn Declarations to Solemn Deliverables | |
Addis Ababa, January 17, 2016 The 27th Gender is my Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Consultative Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender Equality in the African Union and Member States took place on the 17th-18th January, 2016 at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme “Looking towards 2020: Securing Women’s Rights through Gender Equality and Silencing the Guns in Africa.” The theme was aligned with the African Union (AU) dedication of the year 2016 as the “African Year of Human Rights with particular focus on the Rights of Women”. The 27th GIMAC brought together over 170 delegates from over 30 countries, including representatives of Diplomatic Missions, African Union and United Nations officials, leading Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Gender in Africa and other interested groups in advancing women’s rights in Africa. Drawing from the two-day discussions, participants outlined key recommendations.
Read more here >> .
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The 26th GIMAC Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the AU is taking place in South Africa on 8-9 June 2015 | |
"The next Gender is my Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting will take place on 8-9 June 2015 in South Africa and will focus on the “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063: The Way Forward”. It will be the occasion to take stock of our achievements since last GIMAC in January and to discuss the way forward. It will also be a key platform for African CSOs, the Diaspora and policy makers to debate on solution-oriented measures towards women empowerment and gender equality." |
FAS participates in the Grantee Convening Meeting for the Inaugural Women’s Platform of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework in Goma (DRC) |
Goma, 16th May 2015 - FAS Programme Coordinator presented on the Regional Action Plan (RAP), its objectives, activities and indicators as well as its co-relation with the Accord Cadre at the Grantee Convening meeting in Goma (DRC) from the 13th to 15th of May 2015. |
FAS shares experience at the regional consultation for the review of UN Peacebuilding Architecture in Addis Ababa |
Addis Ababa, 13th May 2015 - FAS was invited to participate to the regional consultation for the review of UN Peacebuilding Architecture (UNPBA) in Addis Ababa from the 11th-12th May 2015 and thus to share its first-hand experience with regard to Peacebuilding in various countries emerging from war. The consultation, organized by Accord, aimed at bringing together the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of Peacebuilding Architecture with key peacebuilding stakeholders in the region. |
FAS participates at a civil society consultation on the implementation of the 1325 and stands in solidarity with the women in Burundi |
Kampala, 11th May 2015 - FAS, as a member of the New York Task Force in support to the High Level Advisory Group, participated to the civil society consultation on the Global Study on the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in the Greater Horn of Africa which was held in Kampala, Uganda on 10th and 11th May 2015. The consultation was organized by Isis- Womens International Cross Cultural Exchange (Isis-WICCE) and Femmes Africa Solidarité, with support from UN Women. |
FAS organizes a two-day consultation with the women of Central African Republic in preparation of the National Reconcilation Forum in Bangui | |
Bangui, 4 May 2015 - In preparation to the National Reconciliation Forum scheduled to take place on 4-11 May in Bangui, and in order to make sure that the voices of women in CAR are heard loud and coherently on this crucial moment for the future of the country, Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), in partnership with the Ministry for Social Affairs, Gender Promotion and Humanitarian Action of CAR and UNFPA facilitated a two-day consultation on 2-3 May, with 150 women taking part to fruitful debates, sharing their positions on crucial matters related to gender, women empowerment, peace and security. The outcome document of the two-day-consultation reuniting the recommendations issued from the women’s deliberations, was read at the opening of the Forum, on the 4th of May. |
Femmes Africa Solidarité promotes its recipe for peace in the "Recipes for Peace, Rights and Well-being" book concocted by the United Nations in Geneva | |
Geneva, 29 April 2015 - FAS is featured in the “Recipes for Peace, Rights and Well-being” Second Edition, launched on Wednesday 29th April at Geneva Book Fair! We shared our own recipe for peace: the “Women’s Situation Room for Peaceful Elections and its Triple “M” Factor Seasoning”. This initiative of the Office of the Director General of the United Nations in Geneva, called the International Geneva Perception Change Project, aims at promoting peace, human rights and well-being throughout he work of the International Geneva organisations. The book reunites recipes concocted by the NGO and international organizations’ community in Geneva for a fairer world with more peace and human rights, as well as gourmet recipes shared by some of Geneva’s most celebrated chefs. |
365 days after the abduction of more than 270 Nigerian schoolgirls, FAS, in a statement, demands comprehensive solutions to protect women and girls | |
14th April 2015 - On this somber anniversary, one year since the abduction of more than 270 Chibok girls and hundreds more women and girls in Nigeria, we remain committed in our solidarity to call for an end to impunity and for national, regional and global leaders to protect the human rights of women and girls, men and boys. We also denounce the recent massacre of 150 students at Garissa University College in Kenya and strongly call on those who provide support and resources to extremist groups to end that support. |
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- Urgent measures to address the needs of the growing population displaced by terrorism and insurgencies, particularly women and children. |
28th UN Human Rights Council: FAS delivers statements in the interactive dialogues with the Independent Experts of Central African Republic and Mali |
Geneva, 24 March 2015 - In the context of the ongoing 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, FAS delivered two statements in the interactive dialogue sessions with the independent experts on the Human Rights Situation in the Central African Republic, Ms. Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum, and on the Human Rights Situation in Mali, Mr. Suliman Baldo. |
CSW59/Beijing+20 - Femmes Africa Solidarité co-organizes high level side events to discuss formulation and implementation of African women’s priorities for Agenda 2063 and post-2015 development agenda. |
New York, 20 March 2015 – Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) collaborated with the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) and the Office of the Special Envoy of the African Union Commission Chairperson on Women, Peace and Security to organize two high-level side events during the CSW 59 at the UN Headquarters in New York. These events aimed at identifying concerns and priorities towards the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda, and the empowerment of young women and girls to enable them to achieve the concrete targets set by development frameworks such as the Beijing+20 review, the African Union agenda 2063 and the post-2015 agenda. FAS also chaired the CSW/NGO briefing with the African Women’s Caucus, which reiterates the importance of the participation of civil society organizations in shaping the current global policy framework on women’s empowerment and gender equality. The Caucus prepared a statement on the lack of inclusion of civil society organizations recommendations in the CSW59 political declaration. |
AU Peace and Security Council: FAS presents key messages and recommendations | |
Addis Ababa, 9 March 2015 - In commemoration of the International Women’s Day, the 15th anniversary of United Nations Security Council 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the 5th anniversary of the Decade for African Women and on African Union’s “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development Towards Agenda 2063”, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) organized the annual open session on “Mitigating Vulnerabilities of Women, Children, and other Vulnerable Groups in Armed Conflicts in Africa”. The consultation was attended by PSC member states, representatives of various missions, international organizations and civil society organizations. |
2015 International Women's Day |
2015 is the year of women's empowerment. Celebrate International Women's Day with Femmes Africa Solidarité and the Gender is My agenda Campaign (GIMAC). Spread the word and join the movement!
View the pictures. |
25th Gender Equality Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting: What African Women Demand for the Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development | |
Addis Ababa, January 26th, 2015 - This week in Addis Ababa marked the end of the four day Gender is my Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender in the African Union (AU) and Member States. This 25th session of the GIMAC was special on many accounts. The year 2015 has been designated by the AU as the Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development Towards Africa’s Agenda 2063. The year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+20) and the 15th anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). We are also into the 5th year of the African Women’s Decade (2010-2020) and the finalization of a new post-2015 development framework. The meeting marked the bi-annual consultation between GIMAC members on the one hand, and with the African Union Commission Chairperson, AU ministers of Gender and Women Affairs, gender focal points of Regional Economic Communities and United Nations partners on the other. This follows a key decision adopted during the 24th GIMAC Pre-Summit Meeting, which took place in June 2014 in Malabo for civil society representatives and policy makers to deliberate together before the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government. Read more >>. |
FAS calls for an end to gender-based violence during Solidarity Mission to Nigeria | |
Abuja, 13th December 2014 - Following up with one of the outcomes of the 24th summit of last GIMAC in June 2014, Harriette Williams Bright, FAS’ acting Executive Director, took part in a Solidarity Mission in Nigeria, on behalf of the Gender is my Agenda Campaign. The mission was conducted by Mrs Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. |
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Ms Harriette Williams Bright, FAS’ acting Executive Director, echoes the voices of Civil Society Organizations at the Open session of the African Union Peace and Security Council | |
Addis Ababa, 16th December 2014 - Ms Harriette Williams Bright delivered an oral statement on behalf of the Women, Peace and Security African Civil Society Organizations on the subject of “Sources of instability in Africa: root causes and responses” at the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC). |
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FAS attends meeting with the Malian Delegation of Spiritual Leaders and of the Platform of Civil Society Organizations of Mali |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) attended a panel discussion with the Malian delegation of spiritual leaders and the platform of civil society organizations of Mali, organized by Her Excellency Ms. Aya Thiam Diallo, Ambassador of Mali in Geneva, and the Permanent Mission of Mali to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, on Wednesday, 4th of February. |
FAS calls on African citizens and stakeholders to comment on Africa’s Agenda 2063 | |
Agenda 2063, which was developed by the African Union, seeks to embody Africa’s vision for a continent that is integrated, peaceful, prosperous, people-centered, and representing a dynamic force in the global arena. The Agenda’s strategic aspirations and goals emphasize the importance of a peaceful and secure Africa, relying particularly on the important contributions of women and youth in the actualization of THE AFRICA WE WANT. Agenda 2063 presents an opportunity to further substantiate Africa’s position on gender equality and women’s empowerment. |
FAS delivers a statement on the gender aspect of conflict prevention at the African Union Peace and Security Council | |
Addis Ababa, 27 October 2014 - Bitania Tadesse, who works on FAS advocacy in Addis Ababa, delivers a statement at the African Union Peace and Security Council’s open session on “Structural Prevention of Conflict: Reinvigorating States in Fragile Situations in Africa”. She stresses the importance of increasing women’s participation in conflict-related early warning systems. |
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The Women’s Situation Room recommended as a best practice to be replicated for upcoming elections in Burundi and Nigeria | |
Dakar, 31st October 2014 - Femmes Africa Solidarité, and its PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development (FASPAC)participated to the dialogue focused on how democratic developmental governance can be leveraged to end all conflicts in Africa at the Third Level Dialogue on Democratic Governance in Africa on “Silencing the Guns: Strengthening Governance to Resolve Conflicts in Africa” convened by the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Africa Governance Institute (AGI), the Government of the Republic of Senegal and supported by Germany, via the “Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH”, from the 30 to 31st October 2014 (http://bit.ly/11T7cTI). |
Bineta Diop calls on Parliamentarians to work more with the African Union and civil society to fight violence against women | |
Geneva, 14 October 2014 - Bineta Diop, Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and President of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), spoke at the 131th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva during the Open Session of the Committee to Promote Respect for International Humanitarian Law on “Ensuring respect for women’s rights in situations of conflicts”. She called Parliaments to increase work with civil society to combat gender-based violence and promote a culture of peace. She presented the Women’s Situation Room implemented by FAS as a good practice to monitor and ensure transparent and conflict-free elections in Africa and emphasized the importance for countries to build National and Regional Action Plans to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1325 at all levels. |
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Bineta Diop, on behalf of H.E. Mrs. Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, delivered a statement during the General debate on “Achieving gender equality, ending violence against women” to reiterate the will of the African Union Commission to strengthen relationships with the two institutions. During her declaration, Mrs Diop highlighted the good relationships between the Inter-Parliamentary Union and African Parliaments and commended this year’s main theme, which reflects the priorities of the AUC to place women at the heart of human development in Africa. She presented instruments promoting gender equality in the AU, emphasizing in particular the adoption of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. But despite these promising evolutions, women still face violence, poverty and inequality and it is now more than necessary to take urgent action to eradicate gender inequality and violence to build healthy and prosperous societies in Africa. |
FAS joins MARWOPNET to advocate for the inclusion of a gender dimension in the efforts to fight Ebola |
FAS mobilizes women organizations networks to call for the lifting of travel bans to Ebola affected countries, and supports Marwopnet’s call on UN member States “to recognise that the Ebola virus disease has a clear gender dimension that must be incorporated in interventions to ensure that the spread of this deadly disease is halted”. “At present, women make up 55 to 60 % of those who have died from the disease, with Liberia reporting up to 75 % of women among the victims”. In addition, border closures and transport restrictions due to the Ebola outbreak have negatively affected market trading and subsistence farming, the main livelihood sources through which women provide for their families and communities. |
Finally, FAS joins the call for |
Women, peace and security in Africa: FAS influenced the 27th Human Rights Council agenda |
Femmes Africa Solidarité engaged successfully with the Human Rights Council (HRC) which concluded its 27th session by adopting 32 texts on a wide range of issues. FAS influenced the HRC resolutions on Central African Republic, and participated in the debates on the situation in South Sudan and on how to better integrate a gender perspective in the Council’s work. |
Harriette Williams Bright, FAS Advocacy Director, presents the report on "Mitigating Vulnerabilities of Women and Children in Armed Conflicts” to the 14th meeting of the Panel of the Wise. | |
Addis Ababa, 17 September 2014 - Harriette Williams Bright, FAS’ Director of Advocacy, presented the expert report on “Eliminating Vulnerabilities of Women and Children in Armed Conflict,” which was commissioned by the Panel of the Wise. The presentation focused on recommendations to the African Union, the Commission, and the Panel of the Wise, to address challenges faced in the implementation of the AU Gender Policy and Children’s Policy frameworks. |
FAS’ advocacy program on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in DRC met the beneficiaries’ expectations |
Goma (DRC), 16 September 2014 - Advocacy project on Human Rights and fundamental freedoms is funded by the EUROPEAN UNION, implemented by FAS/PAC and its local Women's network Femmes Solidaires pour la Paix et le Développement (FSPD). This project aims to strengthen the capacity of women to effectively advocate for their rights and fundamental freedoms at the local, national, sub-regional, regional and international levels, thus to improve their living conditions and have an impact on the situation of women in the DRC area, the Great Lakes region and throughout Africa. |
FAS engages with children to build a culture of peace |
Dakar, 9 September 2014 - FAS’ PanAfrican Centre for Peace, Gender and Development (PAC) supported this year and for the second time the Festival Panafricain au Royaume des Enfants (FARE), organised by Sukaabé Media Services. About a hundred children, aged 9-13, from Senegal, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Ethiopia and Cape Verde gathered in Dakar to call for peace and gender equality, and request quality education for all children in Africa. |
FAS stands in solidarity with Ebola victims and their families and calls for lifting of embargoes against entire countries | |
The Ebola virus is becoming an overwhelming human catastrophe affecting public health, social institutions and economic well-being in Africa (...). However, strict measures are creating a de facto quarantine of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia against the recommendations of the World health Organizations (WHO) and many humanitarian groups (including the International Federation of Red Cross & Medecins Sans Frontieres). We acknowledge and applaud the decision of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) health ministers to call for the lifting of travel bans to Ebola affected countries, which are hampering the fight against Ebola and restricting the arrival of essential expertise and equipment, as well as fuel to provide electricity, medications to treat other deadly diseases such as malaria and food to prevent famine. |
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Like Bineta Diop, Chair of the Board or Harriette Williams Bright, Advocacy Director, join this citizens' call by signing the petition here. |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) is pleased to share important outcomes of the advocacy undertaken by the Gender is my Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) during the African Union (AU) Summit of Heads and Government held in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. A network of more than 55 organizations from African civil society, the GIMAC meets twice a year ahead of AU Summits to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa, and to hold African Union member states accountable to their commitments on these issues. Read More >> |
FAS shared expertise on Women’s Situation Room at SDSN Expert Roundtable in London |
London, 15 July 2014 – Mrs. Bineta Diop, Co-Chair of the SDSN Thematic Group on Social Inclusion and Founder and President of Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), attended the London expert roundtable hosted by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), in partnership with Middlesex University, to examine the treatment of gender, inequality and human rights within Draft Sustainable Development Goals. The discussions covered a range of questions including the extent to which gender discrimination and other forms of group-based inequality are prioritized within the Goals. |
Best Practice Guide - Senegalese Women's Platform for Peaceful Elections. |
This document is an extract from the Senegalese Women's Platform for Peaceful Elections Best Practice Guide. It aims to promote peace and democracy in Africa, and is destined to all working in these circles in order to promote a replication of these best practices. |
The 24th GIMAC Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the AU, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, 19-20 June 2014 | |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) organized, with the support of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), the 24th Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) consultative meeting which took place from the 19-20 June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, ahead of the bi-annual African Union (AU) Summit on agriculture and food security. |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) hosts a working lunch in its regional office in Dakar with H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) hosted a working lunch with H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlaimini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, at its regional office in Dakar to discuss how to further support Dr. Zuma’s contributions to gender equality on the continent, and to provide a space for exchange with the Senegalese Women’s Platform for Peaceful Elections. Notable members of the platform from various women’s organisations took part in the working lunch. |
FAS advocates for women’s rights at the 26th Human Rights Council |
During the 26th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Femmes Africa Solidarité intervened in four panel discussions including an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women (VAW), its causes and consequences; an interactive dialogue with the independent expert on the situation of human rights in Central African Republic; a general debate on the technical assistance in the field of Human Rights in South Sudan and a panel on women’s human rights and the sustainable development agenda which took place during the annual full day discussion on women’s rights. Read more>> |
AU/UN Joint Solidarity Mission to the Central African Republic |
FAS co-organised and took part of a joint solidarity mission to the Central African Republic (CAR) of the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) who visited Bangui from 24-26 May 2014. |
Mrs Bineta Diop on CNN African Voices | |
On CNN African Voices, a “one of a kind” in-depth interview show that highlights Africa’s most engaging personalities and covers a broad social spectrum – from newsmakers in politics and business to the pioneers of music, arts, and sport, Mrs Bineta Diop addressed in 20mn subjects that are very dear to her. | |
The Executive Board, network members and staff of Femmes Africa Solidarité condemn in the strongest possible terms, the continued abduction since April 14, 2014 of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls by Islamic extremists. |
Statement by Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security 25 April 2014, New York |
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A statement was delivered on Mrs Diop’s behalf at the UNSC Open Debate on conflict-related sexual violence in response to the issues raised in the Secretary-General’s 13 March 2014 report on conflict-related sexual violence. |
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I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Union Commission Chairperson’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, Ms. Bineta Diop, to the Security Council at the Open Debate on women, peace and security. |
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Ms. Diop would like to thank the Nigerian Presidency for the invitation extended to her, and sends her regrets from South Sudan. Ms. Diop is in South Sudan as a member of the African Union Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan. She and her colleagues have embarked on their first visit to investigate human rights violations and other abuses in South Sudan, and to make recommendations to ensure accountability, reconciliation and healing. |
Upcoming events! FAS President to co-chair the World Economic Forum on Africa 7-9 May 2014, Abuja, Nigeria |
Mrs. Bineta Diop will be Co-chair for the upcoming World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA), organized in Abuja, Nigeria, 7-9 May 2014. Under the theme, “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs”, the 24th WEFA will bring together regional and global leaders from business, politics and civil society to discuss ways to integrate and reform the African continent, in a manner that is beneficial to all its citizens. The main issues to be addressed during the different discussion panels, workshops and meetings featured in the programme of this year’s WEFA, include: Ways of redesigning growth models and of transforming high growth into inclusive and sustainable growth; Deepening and diversifying investment partnerships; and Accelerating society’s transformation through resilience and innovation.. |
African Union establishes a Commission of Inquiry in South Sudan |
Mrs. Bineta Diop, FAS Founder and President and Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has been appointed Member of the South Sudan Commission of Inquiry, established following a decision of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC). The nomination was announced by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on the 7th of March 2014, at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. |
FAS attending the 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women |
The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will be held in New York from 10 to 21 March under the priority theme of “Challenges and Achievements in the Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for Women and Girls.” As an ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organization, FAS engages with the CSW in order to impact the agreed conclusions as well as raise awareness of FAS’ work. Thus FAS will continue to make its contributions to shape the global agenda in the different post-2015 development processes and the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action. FAS will also engage with the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, on the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and on the Common African Position for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. |
Opinion Editorial - Celebrating African Women on International Women’s Day Oley Dibba-Wadda, Executive Director – Femmes Africa Solidarite |
International Women’s Day, though initially motivated by European and North American labor movements, has become central to women in Africa, as a global advocacy tool to voice their various concerns and reach a wider audience. This year’s theme, “Equality for women is progress for all”, speaks directly to the core challenge faced by women in peace processes across the continent. While we have made significant progress in accessing the peace negotiating tables, there is a need to revisit the issue and highlight ways in which we are succeeding in getting closer to equality, and thus progress for all. Read the full article >> |
Presentation of condolences to Graca Machel and the Mandela Family | |
On 2nd February 2014, 35 women drawn from across Africa travelled to the home of His Excellency Nelson Mandela, to meet and condole with Mama Graca Machel and the family of Nelson Mandela. This visit, which coincided with the historic unbanning of all political movements in South Africa on 2nd February 1990, also brought more than 20 South African women, representing various institutions and formations, to this occasion. The delegation, led by Madame Bineta Diop, the AU special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security together with Mama Getrude Mongella and Ma Phoebe Asiyo expressed their deepest condolences on the passing of the great African icon; reaffirmed the commitment of the African women to emulate and nurture the legacy of Nelson Mandela in general, and as it relates to the women agenda in particular. |
FAS President appointed “Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission” | |
Mrs Bineta Diop, FAS Founder and President has been appointed “Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission”. This appointment has been officially announced by H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, during her opening statement at the 22nd Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, on 30 January 2014. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of a Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security, Mrs Bineta Diop, to ensure that the voices of women and the vulnerable are heard much more clearly in peace building and in conflict resolution", Dr. Dlamini Zuma said. “It is with great honor and humility that I accept this appointment” Mrs Diop said. “I pledge to work closely with and for the women of the continent and I am fully committed to contributing to an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa that ensures that women play their rightful role in ensuring peace and security on the continent” she added. FAS members and team warmly congratulate Mrs Bineta Diop for her appointment, wishing her full success with her new mandate as a Special Envoy. |
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Please find Ms Diop's interview for the Guardian, here >> |
23rd GIMAC(Gender is My Agenda Campaign) |
The 23rd GIMAC Pre-summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the African Union (AU) was held from 23rd to 24th January 2014, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The 23rd GIMAC focused on “Women in Agriculture and Food Security” and addressed other crucial issues including Climate Change and Justice, Reproductive health, Emerging Conflicts on the Continent, including South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR). A press conference was organized, providing the opportunity for several GIMAC members to sensitize the media on what African Women want from the African Union Head of States Summit and to invite them to amplify women voices to the AU summit, on the continent and internationally. |
Graduation Ceremony – Masters in Gender and Peacebuilding |
The professional-oriented bilingual Master’s programme on Gender and Peacebuilding was initiated by Femme Africa Solidarité and its PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development to address the shortage of skills among Africans to meet the need for protection of women’s rights during armed conflicts. To achieve such goal this programme embarked on training highly qualified African specialists in gender, conflict resolution and peacebuilding by enabling them to be aware of the rapport between the issues related to gender, peacebuilding and conflict prevention. This Master’s programme is a result of an innovative partnership between the University of Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar (UCAD), the United Nations, mandated University for Peace (UPEACE) of Costa Rica, and Femmes Africa Solidarité’s PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development (FAS/PAC). Read full article |
Please read the Press Release, English >> / French >> |
Regional Action Plan on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Great Lakes Region. Training on Advocacy and Gender budgeting |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS), in partnership with the Pan African Centre for Genre, Peace and Development (PAC), and the support of the Governments of Finland and Sweden, organized a four-day-training session on gender budgeting and advocacy, which took place from the 16th to the 19th of December in Gisenyi, Rwanda. This event comes as a follow-up to the Regional Conference on Women, Peace, Security and Development, organized by FAS in Bujumbura, Burundi, in July 2013. The training was attended by 20 members of the Regional Steering Committee, coming from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, who are in charge of the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for the United Nations Security Council 1325 in the Great Lakes Region. |
Solidarity Mission to Casamance, 10th to 13th December 2013 |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) led a solidarity mission in Casamance, Senegal, from the 10th to the 13th of December to promote dialogue among women leaders and encourage civil society and community based women organizations in their mobilization efforts for peaceful resolution of the conflict. |
A Fond Farewell to Nelson Mandela |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) salutes and celebrates the life of Nelson Rolihlahla "Madiba" Mandela, anti-apartheid freedom fighter and former president of South Africa who passed away on December 5, 2013. His rich legacy will continue to live on through his actions and words in support of democratic and free societies with equal opportunities for all. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Madame Graça Machel and his family. |
FAS awarded the Chirac Foundation Special Prize of the Jury for Conflict Prevention |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) was awarded the Special Prize of the Jury for Conflict Prevention by the Chirac Foundation, to recognize the organization’s remarkable contributions to the promotion of the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution in Africa. This year’s ceremony for the Chirac Foundation Conflict Prevention Prize, which was created by former French President Jacques Chirac took place at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, on Thursday, 21November. The event was attended by Mr. Chirac, President François Hollande and first lady,Valérie Trierweiler, as well as numerous French political figures, diplomats, representatives of international organizations and civil society. Read more |
FAS Executive Director receives the Africa Woman Leadership Award |
On the margins of the Africa-India Partnership Summit organized on the 27th of November 2013 in Mauritius, Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) Executive Director, Mrs. Oley Dibba-Wadda received the “Africa Woman Leadership Award”, a distinction conferred to outstanding women professionals who have the vision, acumen and professionalism, and demonstrate excellent leadership and management skills in an organization. |
The Africa-India Partnership Summit was organized by the World Federation of Marketing Professionals, Stars of the Industry Group, and the World Federation of CSR Professionals, and approached economic issues such as Africa’s need in human capital. The event was followed by the ceremony of the “Africa Leadership Awards”, which recognizes the contributions of individuals who have made a difference in the society, and have proven the qualities of a responsible citizen. |
High Level Dialogue on the Initiative to Empower Women in Agriculture (EWA) at the sidelines of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation Governance Weekend |
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FAS celebrated the 50 Years Anniversary of the African Union in Geneva |
The 50th Anniversary of the African Union (AU) was celebrated at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva on the 14th and 16th of October 2013, under the coordination of the Permanent Delegation of the AU. The event provided the opportunity to look back at the main achievements of the organization, to take into consideration the upcoming challenges, and to restate the faith in Pan African unity and the vision of the AU Commission Chairperson of “a prosperous continent at peace with itself. |
FAS advocates for women’s protection and participation in the Central African Republic peace process at the 24th Session of the Human Rights Council |
During the 24th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) continued its advocacy on the Central African Republic (CAR) for women's protection from violence and their participation in the peace process. FAS welcomes the interim report on CAR submitted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), which highlights the gravity of the human rights situation and recommends that the transitional government “adopt legal reforms to combat sexual and gender-based violence [...] and expand the scope of protection of and support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence.” FAS engaged in advocacy during the 23rd session of the HRC towards the adoption of a resolution (A/HRC/23/L.3) to request this interim report.Read more here... |
Resolution A/HRC/24/L.39 on CAR, French >> / English >> |
Appointment of Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as UN Women Executive Director, August 19th 2013 | |
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) and its Pan African Centre for Gender, Peace and Development (FAS-PAC) as well as the members of the Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) welcome the United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s appointment of Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the new Director General of UN WOMEN. |
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The appointment of Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa, was announced by the UN Secretary General on 10 July 2013. |
FAS welcomes new Executive Director! | |
The Executive and Advisory Board and members of Femmes Africa Solidarité are pleased and honored to welcome Ms Oley Dibba-Wadda as the new Executive Director of Femmes Africa Solidarité. Ms Dibba-Wadda has already assumed office and is based at the FAS regional Office in Dakar. Oley combines expertise on gender equality in international policy and programming and leadership and management within the international development sector across multicultural and multidisciplinary environments. |
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The position is key for the development of FAS and we wish Oley a great success in her new assignment. |
FAS President participated to the Rockefeller Foundation Google Hangout |
The Rockefeller Foundation hosted a Google Hangout on Wednesday, 14 August 2013, as a follow-up to the Foundation’s recent summit in Abuja, Nigeria on “Realizing the Potential of African Agriculture.” During the Hangout, FAS President, Bineta Diop discussed and debated some of the key issues and themes facing the agriculture sector in Africa with fellow panelists Anne Mbaabu, Director, Market Access Program of the Alliance for a Green Revolution and Kola Masha, Managing Director of Doreo Partners. The Hangout was moderated by Mamadou Biteye, Managing Director of Rockefeller Africa Regional Office. Participants included leaders from finance and agriculture in both the non-profit and private sectors. |