Speak Up Afric'Art is a dynamic initiative that embraces art as a means of expression and change, encouraging African artists to use their creativity to highlight critical social issues. This unique space not only showcases Africa's diverse artistic talents, but also catalyzes discussion on key themes such as public health, gender equality and human rights.
This year, the first edition is proud to present Fatimata Mamadou Lamine Sy, a passionate activist, Voix EssentiELLES and Executive Secretary of the Association Sénégalaise pour l'Avenir de la Femme et de l'Enfant (ASAFE). Her personal and professional story is a poignant testimony to the resilience and power of women's activism. Fatimata, a victim of female genital mutilation herself, has transformed her experience into a driving force for change, becoming an influential voice in the fight for the rights of women and girls in Africa.
Through Voix EssentiELLES, a program dedicated to empowering women and girls in decision-making spheres, particularly in healthcare governance, Fatimata embodies the spirit of leadership and commitment that Speak Up Afric'Art aims to promote.
Speak Up Afric'Art invites the public to discover the story of Fatimata Sy, through her few lines.
Fatimata Sy : Voix EssentiELLES
My name is Fatimata Mamadou Lamine Sy, Executive Secretary of ASAFE. My path in the world of public health and humanitarian aid is not just professional, it's deeply personal. As a victim of female genital mutilation, I took my pain and anger and turned them into a driving force for change, passionately defending the rights of women and girls in the face of often overwhelming adversity. I often say that, "Participating in the emancipation of women and girls is the duty of every citizen."
Fatimata Sy : Voix EssentiELLES
My name is Fatimata Mamadou Lamine Sy, Executive Secretary of ASAFE. My path in the world of public health and humanitarian aid is not just professional, it's deeply personal. As a victim of female genital mutilation, I took my pain and anger and turned them into a driving force for change, passionately defending the rights of women and girls in the face of often overwhelming adversity. I often say that, "Participating in the emancipation of women and girls is the duty of every citizen."
Originally from Guédiawaye, a suburb of Dakar, I come from a place where certain harmful traditions such as excision unfortunately persist. These traditions shaped my youth and sowed the seeds of my future resistance. My commitment has brought about positive change, but at a high personal cost, often making me feel isolated within my own community.
In 2011, I joined the Association des Jeunes pour le Développement (AJD/Pasteef) as an assistant program manager. Since then, I have boldly led several initiatives to combat violence against women. My current role at ASAFE enables me to touch even more lives, educating and fighting against dangerous traditional practices.
Let's not forget that: "To really fight against female genital mutilation, it's crucial to involve young people, future parents, in this conversation."
My studies in social work, finance, public management and human rights have enriched my understanding and ability to act. Recently elected deputy mayor of Guédiawaye, I continue to use my position to amplify the voices of the marginalized.
Under my presidency, ASAFE is tackling crucial issues such as child marriage, early pregnancy and female genital mutilation. We provide support and raise awareness, while also combating contemporary scourges such as Covid-19 and malaria. ASAFE, made up mainly of young women, embodies our commitment to a future where women are leaders and free.
Beyond my role at ASAFE, my political position enables me to advocate for better representation of young people and women in the decisions that affect us all. I am determined to continue my fight for the autonomy and dignity of all women.
Speak Up Afric'Art represents a convergence of my passion for art and my commitment to social change. This platform enables artists, experts and decision-makers to collaborate and express African issues through creative works. Art challenges stereotypes and celebrates our diversity and identity, providing a powerful means of storytelling and social transformation.
Here's a thought I shared for the Lingueer initiative:
" In a society that often confines women to restricted roles, it's crucial that they stand up to break down these barriers. As a woman, I refuse to bow to diktats that limit my personal development and freedom of expression. Art allows us to raise our voices, let's transform our society and put an end to the injustices suffered by women and girls in Africa."
With the Speak Up Afric'Art and Voix EssentiELLES initiatives, I discovered a powerful synergy between art and activism. While Speak Up Afric'Art uses the universal language of art to challenge stereotypes and foster dialogue, Voix EssentiELLES empowers women and girls by giving them the means to actively participate in shaping the policies and decisions that affect their lives. Together, these initiatives amplify each other's impact - Voix EssentiELLES provides the substantive agenda for change, and Speak Up Afric'Art offers a creative platform for expressing and promoting that change. By integrating the goals of both initiatives, we not only address the immediate challenges facing women and girls, but also create lasting cultural change that celebrates and advances gender equality. This approach illustrates how art and advocacy can intersect to create meaningful and lasting transformations in society.
May 10, 2024, Arusha, Tanzania - The 18th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (CBA18) took place from 6 May to 9 May 2024 in Arusha, Tanzania. In To increase co-creation and collaboration between climate and health actors, the Global Fund convened representatives of civil-society organizations and impacted communities working on HIV, TB, Malaria, health and climate response from various regions of Africa to the Conference.
Of the three diseases at the core of the Global Fund's mission, malaria is the most affected by climate change. Eighty-seven percent of the global malaria burden and Global Fund resources are focused in the same 50 most vulnerable countries. Climate change, in addition to drug- and insecticide-resistance and conflict, poses an urgent threat to malaria control and elimination efforts. Climate change also jeopardizes the fight against HIV and TB. Its impact on food security, as well as extreme weather events, are driving population displacement, which increases communities' vulnerability to disease. Floods, cyclones and other climate disasters also interrupt access to healthcare.
Climate change presents a profound threat to the reversal of gains and achievements of the Global Fund's partnership in climate-impacted countries and communities. Impacted and vulnerable communities and people are at the center of the Global Fund strategy. Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia have lowest per capita greenhouse gas emissions but have many of the most climate-vulnerable countries.
CBA18 brings together community of practitioners, grassroots representatives, local and national government planners, policymakers and donors working at all levels and scales to reimagine solutions that enable transformative outcomes, through the agency of communities driving climate action. CBA is a space for the climate adaptation community to share learning on community-based and locally led adaptation approaches, and to explore how to put the principles for locally led adaptation (LLA) into practice, recognizing the complexities, innovations and challenges that must be overcome. The Global Fund and its community and civil society partners- ALMA, EANNASO, HEPS Uganda, ITPC, Lensational, RAME and Speak Up Africa co-created two sessions at the conference focused on "Resilient Communities, Health Futures" and "Community engagement and advocacy in climate-health decision-making spaces".
Climate change is increasing existing social and economic vulnerabilities, including amongst key, vulnerable and underserved populations affected by HIV, Tuberculosis or malaria, with most significant impacts occurring in Africa, Asia and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean.
By 2030s, models indicate that potentially an additional 50-62 million people will be at increased risk for endemic malaria transmission, and 37-48 million people at risk for seasonal transmission, in Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa.
The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is working to keep the issues of climate change and health, including malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), high on the agenda of the Heads of States and Governments of Africa, the quarterly report being a good example and we are working to provide support for countries to integrate climate change and health indicators to the scorecard tools of accountability, advocacy and action.
Aloyce Urassa, Public Health Scientist and Chairperson of the ALMA Youth Advisory Council.
Climate inequities disproportionately affect low-income and marginalized communities, worsening the existing inequalities in political power, policy, practice, and funding that also contribute to health disparities. Climate change impacts people and communities ability to access health services differently depending on a wide range of climate-related and societal factors including gender and age, and this is why "Support for the adaptation of communities-led solutions to climate change must focus on raising their awareness in order for them to find tailored and context-specific solutions." Simon Kaboré, Regional Executive Director of RAME.
Incorporating gender considerations into climate change and disaster risk reduction projects can help ensure the projects' effectiveness and improve women's, and their families', resilience to climate change. By addressing gender, adaptation, and mitigation together, we can come up with approaches on the ground that have multiple development benefits. Women are already more vulnerable to undernutrition, health vulnerabilities and have less access to medical services than men; climate change can exacerbate this situation. Changing temperatures alter vectors for diseases like malaria, higher sea-surface temperatures are correlated with cholera epidemics, and more frequent droughts and floods will worsen sanitation and hygiene. Since 2021, Speak Up Africa, an advocacy and strategic communications organization, is working with the Global Fund on the VoixEssentiELLES initiative, a project strengthening women and girls' capacity, in all of their diversity, by meaningfully engaging them in decision-making processes and spaces that influence health policies and programs.
This conference is a perfect opportunity for Speak Up Arica and our Voix EssentiELLES initiative to delve into the climate world and actors and understand the challenges and adaptation mechanisms or programs in place that are critical for climate resilience. It is even more essential for us to understand community-led gender-sensitive solutions implemented by our climate counterparts and think about how to best co-create climate health resilient gender considerations in Africa. I was delighted to attend sessions like the "Turning the tide: how to enable gender and locally led adaptation action for good" which was particularly insightful.
Maelle Ba, Senior Communications Manager at Speak Up Africa and co-Chair of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria Strategic Communications Partner Committee.
To date, climate and health risks are often viewed in silos in decision making. This is why, as part of the Conference, Lensational, a non-profit social enterprise, with the mission of equipping women from underrepresented groups and communities with cameras and photography training so they can express themselves and represent themselves with dignity, Speak Up Africa and the Global Fund, organized a session on "Community engagement and advocacy in climate-health decision-making spaces" to take stock of best practices and learnings in advancing community engagement and advocacy in health and climate adaptation policy, programming and financing. The interactive session further explored approaches that have worked in strengthening capacities and leadership to improve advocacy and meaningful engagement of communities most impacted by climate change.
With a focus on acquiring new skills, sharing experiences and connecting with peers, the CBA18 conference offers participants four days of discussion, debate, peer-to-peer 'skill-shares' and knowledge exchange, through an innovative, dynamic and interactive space, enabling participants to promote community-led climate action.
It is only through integration, adaptation and innovation that we will be able to address the climate crisis and ensure healthy futures for all. This Conference has provided a platform, even within the Global Fund partnership, to hold crucial conversations on how to best integrate climate resilience into community systems. Our amazing partners are coming up with powerful and impactful solutions and enabling us to increase knowledge translations.
Seonmi Choi, Senior Advisor- Climate Change and Environment at the Global Fund
As the impacts of climate change cause ripples through communities worldwide, scaled-up efforts that support those most impacted by the climate crisis are urgently needed. Breaking down the silos between climate and health is imperative for effective decision-making, and community voices on adaptation are key in understanding how climate and health are interlinked, which will eventually allow for development of holistic strategies that address both climate resilience and health equity.
Building stronger communities means creating solid support systems that can fill in the gaps when public resources are lacking. In honor of International Women's Day and the one-year anniversary of the opening of her shelter, we highlight the remarkable efforts of Irad Gbazalé, the visionary leader and president of Femmes en Action. Under her steadfast leadership, her shelter in Agboville, Côte d'Ivoire, has become a sanctuary of hope and healing for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Femme en Action has transcended the traditional notion of an NGO. Since its inception in 2023, its center has provided not only refuge but also a place of rebirth for women and girls who have faced unimaginable hardship. Irad, once a renowned voice on the local airwaves, has dedicated her life to the fight against gender-based violence, leading this charge with unprecedented determination and compassion.
Our visit to this exceptional location, alongside partners Fondation CHANEL and Fonds Mondial, highlights the importance of the Voix EssentiELLES initiative. This project highlights the vital importance of women's voices in decision-making and aims to eradicate violence against women and girls.
Each woman who arrives at the center embarks on a transformative journey, which begins with a simple but profound gesture: welcoming and listening. Here, they find more than shelter; they discover a path to healing and empowerment, structured by a comprehensive five-step process:
Beyond immediate aid, the center is committed to education and empowerment. Through literacy courses, vocational training, educational talks, baking workshops and business and community activities, women are given the tools they need to forge a new future and achieve social and economic reintegration.
In just one year, the center has transformed the lives of 106 women and girls, offering many of them a temporary home and a fresh start. The impact of Femmes en Action extends beyond its walls, supported by local authorities and serving as a model for other regions.
This visit to Agboville was more than just an observation; it was a deep immersion in a struggle that demands our collective commitment. Through the experience of Femmes en Action, we are reminded of the importance of unity in the fight against gender-based violence, a shared struggle that leads to collective victory.
Thanks to the unwavering commitment of Irad and its dedicated team, the center has become a pillar of strength for the women of Agboville. It symbolizes the power of solidarity and mutual support, inspiring us all to continue the fight for a future where every woman can live free from violence.
On International Women's Day, let's celebrate the resilience and leadership of women like Irad Gbazalé, who work tirelessly for gender equality and women's empowerment around the world.
Imagine a world where we women, the primary stakeholders in family health, are finally heard and represented at the highest levels of decision-making. That's the fight I've been leading since my election as an alternate member of the "Women, Girls and Children" Constituency Group of the Global Fund 's Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) in Burkina Faso.
The CCM, a crucial role but few women at the table
The CCM is a national committee that submits our country's funding requests to the Global Fund and ensures strategic monitoring of grants to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. A crucial role in which we women remain under-represented.
My active involvement in the CCM
It was to change this situation that I became involved, with the support of the Voix Essentielles program, which promotes female leadership. At the CCM, I don't just attend meetings. I'm actively involved in key processes, such as negotiations with the Global Fund's decision-making bodies.
As a member of the focal team, I'm working with my peers to acquire a new grant that will play a decisive role in strengthening our country's healthcare system and, above all, guaranteeing patients' access to care and essential medicines. It's a huge responsibility that I'm proud to take on as a young woman leader from a community-based organization. My commitment to this committee reflects my determination to bring the voice of women to bear on the strategic decisions that affect our lives.
The Voix Essentielles workshop in Abidjan, an inspiring experience
Last February, I was lucky enough to take part in a capacity-building and experience-sharing workshop organized by the Voix Essentielles initiative in Abidjan. For four days, I was nourished both humanly and intellectually by meeting other young women leaders from Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire.
One of the highlights was the high-level event on "the importance of platforms, dialogue spaces and representation in the fight against gender-based violence and for the achievement of gender equality". I had the honor of participating as a panelist to share my experience with the CCM and my vision for strengthening women's leadership in these bodies.
Bringing women's specific concerns to bear at all levels
For beyond my presence on the CCM, which I hope will be inspiring, I am above all concerned to ensure that our specific concerns and needs are taken into account at all levels. We women are at both ends of the health chain. Our voice must be taken into account if we are to accelerate the control and elimination of the pandemics being combated by the Global Fund.
My expertise in the field, my mission and my vision
We, the young girls from the community, have our place in these bodies because we know the realities on the ground. We'll be able to bring the real problems to the right place, and even propose appropriate solutions.
Representing my community with dignity, making women's voices heard at the highest level, inspiring other young girls to take on responsibilities is the mission I've set myself. It's an immense task, but one that's vital if we are to achieve universal health coverage.
Building the future of pandemic control together
Meetings like the one in Abidjan reinforce my determination. Together, we, young women leaders, are paving the way for a new generation of activists committed to making gender equality and health for all a reality. What if this is the future of the fight against major pandemics? I want to believe it. With your support, anything is possible. Together, let's make women's voices heard!
Amanda Sawadogo
General Secretary of the Association Soutien aux enfants et femmes vulnérables
Member of the Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism
February 22, 2024, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire - Public-private partnerships, multi-sector collaboration, self-esteem, gender-based violence, the intersection between gender and public health, and positive masculinity, all topics discussed at the event "The importance of platforms, spaces for dialogue and representation in the fight against gender-based violence and for the achievement of gender equality" organized as part of the Voix EssentiELLES initiative in Abidjan, on February 20, 2024. An initiative aimed at strengthening organizations led by women and girls, in all their diversity, by meaningfully engaging them in the decision-making processes and spaces that influence health policies and programs. Implemented by Speak Up Africa and co-financed by the Global Fund and the CHANEL Foundation, the initiative, launched in 2021, so far includes 39 community-based organizations in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Burkina Faso.
We know that if we are to put an end to the diseases and scourges that affect our communities and economies, it is essential that policies aimed at tackling health problems take effective account of the gender issue by incorporating the experience and experiences of women and girls.
Professor Mamadou Samba, Côte d'Ivoire's Director General of Health, in his inaugural speech.
The event featured exchanges and panel discussions between Dr. Danielle Adjafi, President of the CCM (Country Coordination Mechanism) of Côte d'Ivoire, Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, Ghislain Coulibaly, Sociologist and Director of Speak Up Africa. Danielle Adjafi, President of Côte d'Ivoire's CCM(Country Coordination Mechanism), Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, Ghislain Coulibaly, Sociologist and President of the Réseau des Hommes Engagés pour l'Égalité Femmes-Hommes en Côte d'Ivoire, Nene Fofana, Founder of Africa Forward Consulting Group, Aïssata Sidibé, Founder and CEO of Afrique Femme, Amanda Savadogo, General Secretary of the Association d'Appui aux Enfants et Femmes Vulnérables, Sylvie Diack, Coordinator of the Club des jeunes filles de Kolda and Aicha Ouédraogo of the Association Tends-moi la main.
Voix EssentiELLES embodies our commitment to amplifying the voices of women and girls in decision-making spaces. Their leadership is essential to shaping inclusive and equitable healthcare policies.
Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa at the first panel on "Leadership, representation and collaboration: The power of connectivity to accelerate gender equality and the health of women and girls in West Africa".
Women, who are at the heart of their communities, need to be included in decision-making bodies, as they are better placed to talk about local issues.
Amanda Savadogo, CCM member from Burkina Faso.
The Government of Canada is a strong supporter of the Global Fund and a champion of gender equality. In November 2022, on the occasion of the "16 Days of Activism" campaign, His Excellency Anderson Blanc, Canadian Ambassador to Côte d' Ivoire, and his team met with a team of Voix EssentiELLES from Senegal, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire. Champion #LuiPourElle, he declared during his speech at the event:
Canada, through its feminist international aid policy, is deeply committed to the promotion of gender equality and actively supports the empowerment of women and girls. As such, we support the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, as Canada firmly believes that women and girls must be placed at the heart of decision-making processes, encouraging them in particular to contribute to the development of health policies and programs. Women have the right to speak. Let's hear their voice! For them, for the inclusive development and prosperity of their communities!
His Excellency Anderson Blanc, Ambassador of Canada to Côte d'Ivoire
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread human rights challenges in the world today. One in three women is a victim of some form of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender inequality, discrimination and harmful cultural and social norms that emphasize the superiority of men over women, normalize violence against women and allow perpetrators to act with impunity.
During the second panel on "Platforms, partners and coalitions working together to end gender-based violence in Côte d'Ivoire and Africa", Ghislain Coulibaly, Founding President of the Réseau des Hommes Engagés pour l'Égalité de Genre, also a sociologist and gender specialist, discussed positive masculinity as an alternative for reducing gender-based violence in Africa: " Positive masculinity is a new alternative for effectively reducing gender-based violence in Africa".
France, a Founding Member of the Global Fund, was represented by Ms Emmanuelle Espié, Regional Advisor for Global Health at the French Embassy in C'ôte d'Ivoire, who reaffirmed the country's commitment to global health, but also to women's health: " Supporting African women is fundamental to building resilient communities and promoting gender equality. We need to be aware of our realities and responsibilities ". At the previous Replenishment Conference in September 2022, France pledged 1.596 billion euros, a 23% increase on its previous contribution. This commitment testifies to the country's strong commitment to positioning global health as a priority of French development policy, which is also reflected in its recent global health strategy for 2023-2027.
Concluding the exchange session, Irad Gbazale, Voix EssentiELLES from Côte d'Ivoire, activist and President of the Agboville-based organization Femmes en Action, declared: " We must be ready and willing to take up the challenges and inspire change across Africa. Gender-based violence is a scourge for us all. Let's not be afraid to speak the truth. Shame must change sides.
When women and girls are empowered and supported to play a role in the decision-making process, truly effective health policies and programs that take into account gender differences and cultural sensitivities can be developed and implemented, drawing on the lived experience of women and girls. In this way, Voix EssentiELLES aims to strengthen women's leadership and support women and girls in their diversity, by investing in the capacities of grassroots organizations to improve health and equality.
February 22, 2024, Abidjan, Ivory Coast - Public-private partnerships, multisectoral collaboration, self-esteem, gender-based violence, the intersection between gender and public health, and positive masculinity were among the topics discussed at the event "The Importance of Platforms, Dialogue Spaces, and Representation in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence and for Achieving Gender Equality" organized as part of the Voix EssentiELLES initiative in Abidjan, on February 20, 2024. An initiative aimed at strengthening organizations led by women and girls, in all their diversity, by engaging them meaningfully in decision-making processes and spaces that influence health policies and programs. Implemented by Speak Up Africa and co-financed by the Global Fund and the CHANEL Foundation, the initiative, launched in 2021, now includes 39 community-based organizations in Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Burkina Faso.
We know that if we want to end the diseases and scourges affecting our communities and economies, it is essential that health policies effectively address gender issues by integrating the experiences and lived realities of women and girls.
Professor Mamadou Samba, Director General of Health of Ivory Coast during his opening speech
The event highlighted exchanges and panel discussions between Dr. Danielle Adjafi, President of the CCM (Country Coordination Mechanism) of Ivory Coast. Danielle Adjafi, President of the CCM (Country Coordination Mechanism) of Ivory Coast, Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa, Ghislain Coulibaly, Sociologist President of the Network of Men Committed to Gender Equality in Ivory Coast, Nene Fofana, Founder of Africa Forward Consulting Group, Aïssata Sidibé, Founder and CEO of Afrique Femme, Amanda Savadogo, General Secretary of the Support Association for Vulnerable Children and Women, Sylvie Diack, Coordinator of the Kolda Young Girls' Club, and Aicha Ouédraogo from the Association Tends-moi la main.
Voix EssentiELLES embodies our commitment to amplifying the voices of women and girls in decision-making spaces. Their leadership is essential to shaping inclusive and equitable health policies.
Yacine Djibo, Executive Director of Speak Up Africa during the first panel on "Leadership, Representation, and Collaboration: The Power of Connectivity to Accelerate Gender Equality and the Health of Women and Girls in West Africa."
Women, at the heart of their communities, must be integrated into decision-making spaces, as they are better able to speak about field issues.
Amanda Savadogo, a member of the CCM of Burkina Faso.
The Government of Canada is a staunch supporter of the Global Fund and a champion of gender equality. In November 2022, during the "16 Days of Activism" campaign, His Excellency Mr. Anderson Blanc, Ambassador of Canada to Ivory Coast, and his team met with a team of Voix EssentiELLES from Senegal, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast. A #HeForShe champion, he stated during his speech at the event:
Canada, through its feminist international aid policy, is deeply committed to promoting gender equality and actively supports the empowerment of women and girls. As such, we support the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, because Canada firmly believes that women and girls must be at the heart of decision-making processes, encouraging them to contribute to the development of health policies and programs. Women have the right to speak up. Let's hear their voices! For them, for inclusive development, and the prosperity of their communities!
His Excellency Mr. Anderson Blanc, Ambassador of Canada to Ivory Coast
Violence against women and girls is today one of the most widespread human rights challenges in the world. One in three women is a victim of some form of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Violence against women and girls is rooted in gender inequality, discrimination, and harmful cultural and social norms that emphasize men's superiority over women, normalize violence against women, and allow perpetrators to act with impunity.
During the second panel on "Platforms, Partners, and Coalitions Working Together to End Gender-Based Violence in Ivory Coast and Africa," Ghislain Coulibaly, Founder and President of the Network of Men Committed to Gender Equality, also a sociologist and Gender Specialist, discussed positive masculinity as an alternative to reducing gender-based violence in Africa
Positive masculinity is a new alternative for effective reduction of gender-based violence in Africa.
Ghislain Coulibaly, Founder and President of the Network of Men Committed to Gender Equality, also a sociologist and Gender Specialist
France, a Founding Member of the Global Fund, was represented by Ms. Emmanuelle Espié, Regional Health Advisor at the French Embassy in Ivory Coast, who reaffirmed the country's commitment to global health, and to women's health:
Supporting African women is fundamental to building resilient communities and promoting gender equality. We must be aware of our realities and responsibilities.
Ms. Emmanuelle Espié Emmanuelle Espié, Regional Health Advisor at the French Embassy in Ivory Coast
At the previous Resource Replenishment Conference in September 2022, France pledged 1.596 billion euros, a 23% increase over its previous contribution. This commitment demonstrates the country's strong commitment to positioning global health as a priority of French development policy, which is also reflected in its recent global health strategy for 2023-2027.
To conclude the exchange session, Irad Gbazale, a Voix EssentiELLES from Ivory Coast, activist, and President of the organization Women in Action, based in Agboville, stated: " We must be ready to face challenges and inspire change throughout Africa. Gender-based violence is a scourge for all of us. Do not be afraid to speak the truth. Shame must change sides. When women and girls are empowered and supported to play a role in the decision-making process, truly effective health policies and programs that take into account gender differences and cultural sensitivities can be developed and implemented, building on the lived experience of women and girls. Thus, Voix EssentiELLES aims to strengthen female leadership and support women and girls in their diversity, by investing in the capacities of grassroots organizations to improve health and equality.
Today, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we shine a spotlight on the unwavering efforts of individuals and organizations dedicated to ending this practice. Among these champions is Fatimata Mamadou Lamine Sy, a beacon of hope and a leader in the fight against gender-based violence, including FGM.
Meet Fatimata Mamadou Lamine Sy
As the Executive Secretary of the Senegalese Association for the Future of Women and Children (ASAFE), Fatimata has dedicated over a decade to public health and humanitarian efforts, with a strong focus on empowering women and youth. Her journey began with the Association of Youth for Development (AJD/Pasteef), where she led programs to combat violence against women and girls. Her commitment extends beyond program leadership to active participation in raising awareness and advocating for change in a society where women have been historically marginalized.
Fatimata's Message
Fatimata believes in the power of involving future parents - our youth - in the fight against FGM. She stands firm in her conviction that empowering women and girls is not just a noble cause but a duty of every citizen. With a rich background in social work, public finance and management, human rights, and humanitarian action, she is a force for positive change, recently elected as the deputy mayor of the city of Guédiawaye.
As we reflect on the alarming statistics shared by UNFPA - with nearly 4.4 million girls at risk of FGM in 2024 alone - let's remember the importance of leadership like Fatimata's in our collective efforts. It will take an estimated $2.75 billion to eliminate FGM by 2030 in key countries, but with leaders like Fatimata and the support of our global network, we can accelerate progress and ensure no woman or girl is left behind.
Join us in celebrating Fatimata Mamadou Lamine Sy and the countless others working tirelessly to end FGM. Their leadership and dedication inspire us all to contribute to a more equitable and just world.
From December 01 to 05, the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections was held in Harare, Zimbabwe. An extremely enriching experience.
Young people are the most exposed to sexually transmitted infections. Thanks to the Voix EssentiELLES and Her Voice initiatives at ICASA 2023, we will have an educated youth to carry the voice of AIDS prevention. Following the presentation of the two organizations' strategies, we note many points in common, notably the accompaniment of so-called small organizations, the technical support offered to organizations, and of course, the importance of advocacy to achieve sustainable change.
ICASA 2023, Sex education is taboo in African communities. The solutions often mentioned in the various panels are first and foremost to focus on advocacy to make young people's voices heard, and on education for responsible sexuality. Accompany, support, train and reinforce to tackle inequalities and put an end to HIV/AIDS.
Thanks to the support of various organizations such as Speak Up Africa as part of the Voix EssentiELLES project, initiatives have been developed, but the lack of information and access to sexual and reproductive health tools leaves the door open to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.
What struck me at ICASA was the involvement of young people. They're not just there to fill out the diversity of representation. They were present and involved. They moderated the panels, ran the exhibits, managed the stands and mastered the concept.
ICASA is a unique platform in the sense that it allows free expression without a priori judgments. The unavailability of space for expression limits progress in both health and GBV. Voix EssentiELLES, like Her Voice, provides a human understanding of the issues.
My favorite was the panel on: Keeping girls in school is a human right and a way to protect them from HIV. I work on keeping girls in school and on their health and well-being within the school. So, an opportunity for me to consider a peer-led awareness and prevention project.
I was very impressed by the peer educators' stands. Peer education is an initiative similar to those I have within my organization on sexual and reproductive health and menstrual hygiene. This time, however, the focus was exclusively on HIV/AIDS, with awareness-raising carried out by young people who have lived the experience for young people. I'm going to make the most of the connections I've made to extend the West African civil society platform and form solutions and approaches in Matam based on the experiences of my peers. ICASA 2023, Educating young people about responsible sexuality is necessary, because their voice is essential in AIDS prevention.
Written by WOPPA DIALLO | Executive Director AMFE SENEGAL
At the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), held in early December 2023 in Zimbabwe, the NGO Speak Up Africa was particularly active. In addition to a sharing session dedicated to its flagship program Voix Essentielles, the team also took part in the Ready Summit and the Youth Conference.
Sharing session between Voix Essentielles and Her Voice Fund: converging visions
At this meeting, the heads of the two programs were able to compare their respective approaches. The Voix Essentielles initiative, launched in 2021 with the support of the Global Fund and the CHANEL Foundation, aims to strengthen the participation of West African women and girls in health policies. It is based on providing funding to local women's associations and leadership training for influential women.
For its part, the Her Voice Fund is a mechanism financed by the Global Fund and ViiV Healthcare to amplify the voice of adolescent girls and young women in Southern Africa in national decision-making bodies on health and HIV.
The session provided an opportunity for Voix Essentielles beneficiaries to exchange views with their Southern African counterparts committed to the common agenda of combating gender-based violence, and to learn from each other's experiences.
Dr Astou Fall, Program Director, Speak Up Africa.
Participants stressed the importance of looking at these two initiatives holistically, combining capacity building, access to healthcare services and advocacy for equity and quality of care. Several avenues for collaboration were suggested, such as the organization of joint events or joint advocacy with donors.
With a shared vision focused on the empowerment of women and girls across the continent, the synergy of action could be harnessed to maximize the reach and sustainability of both programs.
Ready Summit: Speak Up Africa reaffirms its support for youth
The Speak Up Africa delegation was also represented at the plenary session of the Ready Summit, devoted to youth leadership on HIV/AIDS. The event reflects the NGO's commitment to empowering young girls.
During the debates, Speak Up Africa reaffirmed its position in favor of universal access to preventive treatment and respect for sexual and reproductive health rights. The organization also promoted the application of the Maputo Protocol on women's rights, in the face of rising conservatism.
Youth conference: an overview of the challenges
At the ICASA Youth Conference, Speak Up Africa was able to gauge the expectations of the new generation in the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. Several avenues for improvement were identified, such as the creation of mentorships and discussion forums on sensitive subjects such as mental health and sexuality.
Strengthening the leadership and capacities of young people is a priority for Speak Up Africa. The organization will continue to support youth associations to ensure their involvement in the development of public health policies.
This article was produced thanks to Speak Up Africa's "Lines for Impact" initiative.
Originally published on Mosso news
The Voix EssentiELLES initiative is a pilot project financed by the CHANEL Foundation and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. It is implemented by Speak Up Africa (SUA), a Dakar-based non-profit organization specialized in advocacy and strategic communications. The initiative is based on three main pillars: a Commitment Fund, a capacity-building program and a leadership program. Voix EssentiELLES provides grants of $15,000 per CSO, through a dedicated fund, to invest in capacity-building for women's and girls' community organizations, groups and networks, and their leaders.
For its phase 1, in September and October 2023, the Voix EssentiELLES initiative kicked off with the organization of 03 series of workshops in its countries of intervention: Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso. The aim of these workshops was to capitalize on the achievements of the pilot phase and to define with the beneficiary organizations the objectives of the roadmaps to be implemented from September 2023 to May 2024, including strengthening the increased representation of women's and girls' organizations in health governance bodies, improving the living conditions of women and girls affected by tuberculosis, malaria, HIV and GBV, and facilitating access to quality sexual health services for women and girls.
The specific objectives were to: i. Present the results and recommendations of the pilot phase evaluation. ii. Discuss strategic orientations and interventions for the next phase based on the recommendations. iii. Facilitate interaction between pilot phase organizations and new recruits. iv. Encourage experience sharing between beneficiary organizations in each country and v. Develop draft action plans for organizations from September 2023 to May 2024.
Act 1: Workshop in Senegal (September 18-20, 2023)
The workshop in Senegal took place from September 18 to 20, 2023 at CNLS headquarters in Dakar. The workshop brought together 33 participants, including representatives of Speak Up Africa, the Instance de Coordination Nationale des subventions du FM, civil society (ICN), and 26 representatives of the initiative's beneficiary organizations. The event aimed to achieve key deliverables, such as the identification of strategic interventions for participating organizations and the development of action plans for these organizations.
The first day saw participants welcomed, an opening ceremony with welcome speeches and introductions, the introduction of new organizations, as well as presentations on Speak Up Africa, the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, the results of the pilot phase and project indicators. Discussions and question-and-answer sessions followed, with the presentation of the 2022 roadmaps and orientations for the 2023 action plans. Thematic working groups were formed to develop these action plans. Day two saw further development of the action plans in working groups, with group discussions and progress updates, culminating in the finalization and presentation of the group action plans. Finally, the third day included a recap of the previous days, presentation and discussion of the finalized action plans, guidance on the initiative's administrative and financial procedures, and a closing ceremony with general recommendations and next steps.
Workshops in Côte d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso followed a similar format and focused on sharing knowledge, promoting collaboration, and empowering women and girls to advocate for their health and well-being.
Act 2: Workshop in Côte d'Ivoire (September 28-29, 2023)
Côte d'Ivoire embraced the foundations laid by Senegal, focusing on learning from and reinforcing the results of the first day. The second phase of the workshop took place in Abidjan, where 20 representatives of selected NGOs gathered for the second day. This session began with a reminder of the previous day's discussions and a review of the first day's report. The Minister of Women, Family and Children was represented by Dr AMETHIER Solange, outgoing President of ICN Côte d'Ivoire. Recommendations on the involvement of public structures and local authorities were left to the organizations. The Platform of Civil Society Networks was represented, and played an active role in guiding CSOs working on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
On the second day, participants continued to work in their thematic groups, finalizing their action plans taking into account the recommendations left by the invited bodies at the launch. A distinctive feature of the day was a financial session led by Mr. Siaka Traoré, Speak Up Africa's Chief Accountant, offering valuable information on administrative procedures, eligible expenses and financial reporting. The day ended with the presentation of the results of the thematic groups, laying the foundations for concrete action plans.
Act 3: Workshop in Burkina Faso (October 4-6, 2023)
The final chapter of the Voix EssentiELLES workshop took place in Burkina Faso, focusing on knowledge exchange and the creation of innovative action plans. Change agents from Burkina Faso, informed by the ideas and actions undertaken by their peers in Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire, joined forces in this regional initiative. The first day in Burkina Faso was a continuation of the learning and planning process. In addition to the beneficiary CBOs, it saw the participation of several partners, such as representatives of the main beneficiaries of GF grants, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry in charge of gender, and the Vice-President of the Instance de Coordination Nationale des subventions des Ressources du Fonds Mondial in Burkina Faso.
As in previous countries, the day began with a review of the project objectives and a presentation of the results and recommendations of the pilot phase. Participants discussed strategic directions for the next phase based on the recommendations, and engaged further with the core thematic areas. They collectively began drafting action plans that would guide the initiative from September 2023 to May 2024.
In conclusion, these workshops marked a decisive moment in the Voix EssentiELLES initiative, bringing together passionate individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing the cause of women and girls in West and Central Africa. The results of these meetings will undoubtedly contribute to positive change and more equitable health policies for women and girls in the region. It was an opportunity for the partners to reiterate their commitment to supporting the project in achieving these objectives.