Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), policymakers, development partners and civil society leaders from across West Africa have gathered in Dakar, Senegal, for a high-level afrofeminist consultation aimed at strengthening protection mechanisms for women defenders operating in increasingly challenging environments.
The consultation, organised by the Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD), was held on June 16 under the theme “Solidarity, Protection and Lineage of Resistance.”
The event brought together about 30 participants, including women human rights defenders from Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Guinea, as well as representatives of regional and international institutions.
The gathering focused on addressing growing threats facing women defenders while exploring strategies to safeguard civic space and strengthen democratic resilience across West Africa.
A key feature of the consultation was the participation of senior representatives of Germany’s bilateral cooperation programme in Senegal, including Mme Katja Roeckel, Country Director of GIZ Senegal.
Her presence highlighted Germany’s continued support for feminist civil society organisations and women’s rights initiatives across francophone West Africa.
RFLD currently serves as co-chair of the advisory council of the Society.
Equality. Africa – the Transformation (SEA-T) programme, which is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by GIZ.
The organisation also receives support through its Afrofeminist Initiative for Human Rights Development in Francophone West Africa, a project operating across eight countries to advance women’s rights, civic participation and inclusive policymaking.
Participants included senior representatives of the African human rights system, development partners, diplomatic missions, government officials and leading feminist organisations.
Among those present were Remy Ngoy Lumbu, Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and Focal Point on Reprisals in Africa of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, as well as prominent human rights advocates, legal experts and civil society leaders from across the region.
Representatives of Sweden also participated in the consultation, including Catharina Cappelin and officials from the Swedish Embassy in Dakar, reflecting continued international support for women-led movements and human rights advocacy.
Addressing participants, speakers underscored the increasing risks faced by women human rights defenders, particularly in countries experiencing political transitions, insecurity and shrinking civic space.
Discussions centred on strengthening protection systems through greater collaboration, institutional support, rapid response mechanisms and sustainable funding for feminist organisations.
RFLD used the occasion to highlight its expanding role in supporting women’s rights movements across Africa.
The network currently operates offices in Porto Novo, Accra, Banjul and Dakar and works with more than 670 member organisations in over 35 African countries.
The organisation also manages initiatives aimed at supporting grassroots feminist groups, providing emergency assistance to women defenders under threat, generating policy research and promoting evidence-based advocacy.
Participants agreed that strengthening protection for women human rights defenders is critical to advancing democracy, accountability and inclusive development across the continent.
The consultation concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to deepen cooperation and ensure that women defenders receive the support needed to continue their work safely and effectively.
