AFRICAN WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT FUND (AWDF) AT 11TH AWID INTERNATIONAL FORUM, CAPE TOWN, 14TH-17TH NOVEMBER 2008

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) will be attending the 11th AWID International Forum in Cape Town, 14th-17th November, 2008. AWDF will be convening a number of activities before and during the AWID Forum, as well as supporting grantee partners from around the continent to attend the Forum. AWDF convenes the African Feminist Forum (AFF) and during the AWID Forum there will be a number of AFF related activities to showcase the work of feminist activists and thinkers in Africa.

Highlights of AWDF’s activities at AWID are:

11th & 12th November 2008
Women’s Political Participation and Transformational Leadership
Whilst much has been done to increase women’s entry points into politics, it is clear that much more needs to be done. Further measures need to be taken to safeguard women’s participation and further reflection is required on what kind of leadership will enable effective participation on an agenda that advances women’s rights.

This workshop will assess women’s participation in political processes at local, national and regional levels with a view of developing strategies to deal with challenges and barriers facing women in politics and strengthening qualitative and quantitative participation of women at all levels.

14th November 2008
‘Celebrating African Feminists and our Feminist Ancestors’
19.30
This is an evening reception hosted by AWDF and representatives from the African Feminist Forum, in celebration of African women's movements and
feminist activism. The event will feature African women's music and the launch of the African Feminist Ancestors Project, documenting the rich herstory of African women's struggles for autonomy and change. There will also be information about the grant making and movement-building activities of the African Women's Development Fund.

15th November 2008
Feminists, No 'Ifs' not 'Buts': Mobilising feminist activism in Africa
14.30-16:00
Talk show host: Hope Chigudu (Zimbabwe/Uganda)

Talk show guests: Muthoni Wanyeki (Kenya), Coumba Toure (Senegal), Bene
Madunagu (Nigeria), Sarah Mukasa (Uganda/Ghana)

This lively talk show explores the regional African Feminist Forums and
national feminist forums as new platforms for re-energising and focusing
Feminist activism in the region. Talk show guests include sexuality
trainers, story tellers, human rights advocates and community mobilisers
from across generations. They will reflect on the urgency and relevance of
feminist activism in Africa, the ways that African feminists are responding
to backlash and asserting African feminist politics in different spheres.

16th November 2008
The Great Debate
We have wasted our time pushing for more women in decision making positions, they have not made a difference
11:30-13:00
The debate about whether change can be made from within political structures or advocated for from without is a longstanding one, and feminists around the world continue to exchange views on this. There is also the issue of not only dealing with access to decision making, but also the need to strengthen women’s leadership within hostile, patriarchal structures. There have been several notable gains in the Africa region over the past ten years. There are more women in parliament (Rwanda has a world-breaking record of over 50%), more women holding non-traditional portfolios, a female President for the Pan-African Parliament and there is the first democratically elected female President.
In this lively, fun, yet serious Great Debate, we will be addressing the following questions:
• What difference has having women in decision making made in our countries?
• Is having more women in political office the answer to the need for accountability?
• Can we count on women in decision-making to stand up for women’s rights?
• What is our responsibility as a women’s movement towards our colleagues in positions of decision-making?

16th November 2008
Frontline Feminisms: African experiences of activism in times of conflict
11.30-13:00
Moderator: Ndeye Sow (Senegal/UK)
Speakers: Mary Wandia (Kenya), Shereen Essof (Zimbabwe), Jessica Nkuuhe (Uganda)

While armed conflicts in Africa often make international media headlines,
few reports cover the strategic, brave and critical work of African women's
rights activists who expose and respond to violations, negotiate for peace
and fight for democratic change during and after conflict. This session will
feature African feminists who have joined and mobilised others in
confronting recent conflicts and political crises in their countries. They
will share strategies and challenges, and engage participants around
effective activism on conflict, peace and security.

ENDS


The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant-making foundation which supports local, national and regional organisations in Africa working towards women’s empowerment. AWDF through institutional capacity building and programme development seeks to build a culture of learning and partnerships within the African women’s movement.


Enquiries
Nana Sekyiamah – Programme Officer (Fundraising & Communications)
Email: nana@awdf.org
Website: www.awdf.org
Blog: www.awdf.org/blog