In a powerful display of cross-border unity, feminist movements from across Africa have come together to declare sexual violence a continental human rights emergency. They assert that only a collective, feminist-led force can break down systems that protect perpetrators and finally deliver justice to survivors.
A Virtual Gathering for Concrete Action
The strategic convergence took place on International Human Rights Day, within the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Organised by Baobab for Women’s Human Rights (BAOBAB) alongside other leading human rights groups, the three-hour virtual event was titled Sisterhood Beyond Borders: Mobilising the Pan-African Feminist Movement to End Sexual Violence.
It brought together over 160 participants from various African nations. The assembly included legal experts, grassroots organisers, media professionals, policymakers, young feminists, and advocates for survivors, all united by a single mission.
Bridging the Gap Between Law and Reality
Bunmi Dipo-Salami, Executive Director of BAOBAB, framed the meeting as a crucial step to address the wide gap between progressive laws on paper and the harsh daily experiences of women and girls. She pointed out that despite existing protocols and conventions, perpetrators often evade justice while survivors face further trauma from systems meant to protect them.
Carole Ageng’o, Convening Chair and FEMNET Board Chairperson, described sexual violence as a Pan-African crisis needing a Pan-African solution. She emphasised that violence does not respect borders, so the response must be continental, coordinated, and firm.
In a keynote address, Janet Salleh-Ndjie, the African Union Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, highlighted the African Union Convention to End Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG) as a transformative tool. She specifically cited Article 12, which mandates survivor-centred justice systems with free legal aid, timely prosecutions, and specialised courts. She urged AU Member States to ratify the convention without delay.
From Policy to Practice: Accountability and Grassroots Power
The discussion moved to practical implementation. Hannah Forster of the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies stressed that ratification is just the beginning. She called for budgets, judicial reforms, and sustained monitoring to turn conventions into reality.
During a panel on legal accountability, Mariam Abdu from Nigeria detailed judicial failures that force survivors to abandon their cases due to corruption and delays. From Zambia, Namuchana Mushabati shared lessons, noting that laws like the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act remain ineffective without proper funding and training for judges.
A second panel focused on grassroots action and digital advocacy. Josephine Effah-Chukwuma of Project Alert cautioned that online campaigns must not replace direct, in-person support for survivors. Meanwhile, young feminist leader Priscilla Usiobaifo demonstrated how digital tools can amplify on-the-ground efforts when used to strengthen community action.
Media professional Kathleen Ndongmo emphasised responsible, dignity-centred reporting, and Omolara Balogun of WACSI called for sustainable core funding for feminist organisations to ensure their long-term survival and impact.
The Launch of a Permanent Solidarity Network
A pivotal outcome of the convening was the official launch of the Pan-African Feminist Solidarity Network (PAFSO). Unveiled by Chisom Akwue, BAOBAB’s Programme Officer, PAFSO is designed as a permanent continental structure. Its goals are to drive the ratification of AU-CEVAWG, protect women human rights defenders, and institutionalise youth leadership within the movement.
Carole Ageng’o welcomed this initiative, stressing the importance of intergenerational collaboration where young feminists lead boldly and elder feminists offer intentional mentorship.
The event concluded with participants adopting the Pan-African Feminist Solidarity Pledge. This commitment binds them to advocate for survivor-centred justice, uphold cross-border solidarity, demand accountability from states, and push for sustained resourcing of feminist movements across Africa.
