Women's Leadership: Speak Up Africa and Women's Organizations Join Forces to Accelerate the Elimination of Malaria in Burkina Faso

Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso | July 2026

Malaria elimination will not be achieved solely in health centers, laboratories, or policy-making forums. It will also be built within communities, through strong local leadership, committed women’s organizations, and the active participation of women.

With this conviction in mind, Speak Up Africa supported the participation of ten member organizations of the Voix EssentiELLES Burkina Faso network in the3rd International Symposium on the Elimination of Malaria in Africa, held from July 2 to 4, 2026. This effort continued on the ground in the town of Ipelcé during the Advocacy Day on Women’s Leadership and Community Engagement, organized by the Saponé Health District.

Giving women's organizations a voice in decision-making forums

Beyond Speak Up Africa’s institutional participation, the International Symposium provided a strategic opportunity to strengthen the presence and contribution of women’s organizations in a forum bringing together researchers, policymakers, technical and financial partners, health professionals, and civil society organizations.

By facilitating the participation of ten member organizations of the Voix EssentiELLES Burkina Faso network, Speak Up Africa helped strengthen their knowledge of innovations and strategies for eliminating malaria, while fostering dialogue with key stakeholders involved in this effort.

This participation also enabled community-based organizations to share their experiences on the ground, strengthen their networks, and ensure that women’s voices are heard in discussions about policies and strategies for eliminating malaria.

On this occasion, Ms. Roukiattou Ouédraogo, Regional Advocacy Advisor at Speak Up Africa, led a session on the topic “Women’s Leadership and Malaria Elimination, ” highlighting the role of women leaders as essential partners in health policy.

“ Women are already at the heart of the fight against malaria. Our collective responsibility today is to create more opportunities for them to influence decisions, advocate for their communities’ priorities, and contribute fully to policies that will lead to the sustainable elimination of this disease.” Roukiattou Ouédraogo, Regional Advocacy Advisor, Speak Up Africa

Bridging the Gap Between Policies and Communitiess

A few days later, this momentum continued in Ipelcé.

At the invitation of the Saponé Health District, Speak Up Africa’s Regional Advocacy Advisor led a conference on the topic “Women’s Leadership: A Strategic Lever to Accelerate the Elimination of Malaria, ” as part of an Advocacy Day that brought together government officials, health officials, women’s organizations, community leaders, the media, and citizens.

The purpose of this initiative was to bridge the gap between national-level discussions and the realities faced by communities, in order to strengthen local commitment to eliminating malaria.

The discussions highlighted not only the essential role of women in malaria prevention, but also the need to strengthen their participation in governance bodies, support women’s organizations, and develop sustainable partnerships between communities and institutions.

A shared vision, from the national level down to the communities

These two events illustrate the same approach championed by Speak Up Africa.

On the one hand, to strengthen the participation of women’s organizations in the forums where public policy is shaped.

On the other hand, to support communities so that these policies are effectively implemented on the ground.

This synergy illustrates Speak Up Africa’s approach, which involves linking advocacy, women’s leadership, and community engagement to accelerate the elimination of malaria in a sustainable manner.

Building a Movement of Committed Women Leaders

Through capacity building, forums for dialogue, advocacy initiatives, and their growing participation in national processes, our Voix EssentiELLES are strengthening their influence in health governance and helping to ensure that communities are heard.

By investing in women’s leadership and their organizations, Speak Up Africa helps build a movement of women leaders capable of influencing public policy, mobilizing their communities, and accelerating the elimination of malaria in Burkina Faso and beyond.