by Florence Sesay – Executive Director in Sierra Leone
Since its inaugural convening in Accra, Ghana, in 2006, the African Feminist Forum (AFF) has provided an
important regional political space for African feminists to come together, build solidarity and networks,
develop collective strategies, and advance gender justice across the continent. The Forum has evolved
into more than a periodic gathering. It has become a space for critical reflection, movement building,
and collective action, grounded in the Charter of Feminist Principles for African Feminists, a foundational
document developed and adopted by African feminists participating in the Forum.
The AFF subsequently held convenings in Uganda in 2008 and Senegal in 2010, each contributing to the
strengthening of feminist organizing across the continent. The Forum was established at a time when
African feminist movements were confronting growing religious, ethnic and cultural fundamentalisms
that threatened equality, women’s rights and broader human rights. At the same time, African feminists
were challenging internal questions within the movement, including access to sustainable financing,
leadership, sexuality, disability, inclusion and other intersecting forms of discrimination.
Against this backdrop, the AFF has continued to provide a space for autonomous, inclusive and collective
African feminist thinking and organizing.
A Growing Continental Movement
The influence of the African Feminist Forum has extended well beyond its regional convenings. National
feminist fora have emerged in countries including Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda,
Zimbabwe, Liberia, Mali and Tanzania. The Charter of Feminist Principles has also been translated into
languages such as Wolof and Kiswahili, helping to make its principles more accessible to feminist
movements across different linguistic and cultural contexts. The growth of these national and regional
spaces demonstrates the continuing relevance of feminist organizing in Africa and the importance of
building movements that can respond collectively to emerging threats to women’s rights and gender
equality.
Three Days of Reflection, Energy and Solidarity
The recent three-day gathering in Windhoek, Namibia, brought together hundreds of feminists from
across Africa and beyond. It was a powerful moment of reflection, learning, solidarity and renewed
energy. For many participants, the gathering provided an opportunity not only to celebrate the progress
of African feminist movements, but also to confront the challenges that continue to shape the lives of
women and girls across the continent. The conversations were at times emotional, challenging and
deeply energizing. They reminded participants that feminist movements are sustained not only by
policies and institutions, but by relationships, collective action, courage and solidarity.
Sierra Leone at the Table
Sierra Leone was represented at the Windhoek gathering by Florence Sesay, Executive Director of Media
Matters for Women Sierra Leone; four delegates from Purposeful; and Dr. Ayesha Ibrahim, an academic,
gender activist and feminist. Their participation provided an opportunity for Sierra Leonean feminists to
engage with broader continental conversations while also reflecting on the realities, opportunities and
challenges facing feminist movements at home. One of the most significant outcomes for the Sierra
Leone delegation was the unanimous agreement to initiate a Sierra Leone Charter of Feminist Principles
movement and to open the space to other feminist actors and organizations across the country. The
proposed movement presents an opportunity to bring together diverse feminist voices and experiences
and create a collective space for dialogue, solidarity and action. Importantly, it can provide room for
established organizations, emerging feminist leaders, activists, academics, community actors and
younger generations to contribute to shaping the country’s feminist movement.
The decision to establish a Sierra Leone Charter of Feminist Principles movement comes at an important
time. While Sierra Leone has made significant progress in advancing women’s rights and gender
equality, women and girls continue to face structural, social, cultural and economic barriers that limit
their full participation and enjoyment of their rights. A strong and inclusive feminist movement can help
connect these realities to national, regional and global conversations on gender justice. It can also
provide a platform for collective advocacy, knowledge sharing, movement building and solidarity across
different constituencies. The Sierra Leone initiative should therefore be seen not simply as the creation
of another organization or platform, but as an opportunity to strengthen the collective feminist voice in
the country. The experience of the African Feminist Forum demonstrates the power of creating spaces
where feminists can question, challenge, learn from one another and develop strategies for collective
action. As Sierra Leone begins this new chapter, the challenge will be to ensure that the space remains
open, inclusive, autonomous and reflective of the diverse experiences of women and girls across the
country. The work has begun. And the invitation is clear: to build a feminist movement in Sierra Leone
that is collective, courageous, inclusive and rooted in the realities of women and girls.
