FEMNET | She Leads

She Leads

Young girls and women in Africa have often been overlooked and forced to endure pertinent issues such as traditional beliefs and practices which keep women subjugated, including bride-wealth, child marriage, and female genital mutilation. These impediments have relegated them to be perceived as second-class citizens. In seeking to dismantle to emancipate Girls and Young Women from patriarchal systems of injustice, the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) in partnership with Plan International Netherlands, Defence for Children – ECPAT the Netherlands and Terre des Hommes the Netherlands (TdH) are working together to advance and increase the sustained influence of girls and young women (GYW) on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions. The ensuing voices represent in part the voices of girls and young women from 11 African Countries

Cameroon

I am ACHUNCHO MISPA SIRRI from Cameroon representing my organization Women for a Change Cameroon at the 2nd annual Girls and Young Women (GYW) Festival Accra Ghana and #lSpeak4Myself because l believe that a woman should be given an opportunity to realize economically and socially. They must be respected and never underestimated on the ground that they are women. Schooling should be made available for the girls in the rural area. Awareness must be spread on the topic of health and hygiene amounts others

Ethiopia

I am Biruktawit Berhanu from Ethiopia. I speak4Myself Because I believe that girls and young women should have a meaningful role in the national peace-building process as they are affected disproportionately by conflict and violence.

Kenya

My name is Sumeya Ali from Kenya. I speak 4 myself because I believe girls and young women can you use their voices to change and impact the world positively.

Ghana

I am Bernice Ocran Dodoo from Ghana and I speak for myself because I am a proud African and I can tell my history and issues better. I will continue to speak until women own their own lives!!! #Ispeak4Myself

Mali

Je suis Mariétou SIMA, je viens du MALI. Je parle, pour moi même, en tant que jeune femme et surtout en tant qu’être humain ayant des droits (à l’éducation, la formation, l’information, la santé, la participation socio-politique et économique mais surtout à un travail digne et un épanouissement professionnel sans stéréotypes) et des devoirs.

Mozambique

Eu sou Raima Mia de Moçambique, falo por mim e luto todos os dias para que outras raparigas e mulheres jovens também possam falar por si próprias e ocupar espaços de liderança, tomada de decisões e advocacia. Luto para que as raparigas possam ter informação sobre os seus direitos, ter controle sobre os seus corpos e estar conscientes das suas capacidades. Luto para que as raparigas possam alcançar o seu pleno potencial e possam dizer por si próprias “falo por mim, e não devo ser deixada para trás”.

Nigeria

My name is Oniyide Seun Olutoni, I speak for myself because I believe girls and women in all their diversities deserve quality and equitable access to education, health and decision-making bodies at all levels.

Uganda

I am Habene Betty from Uganda. I speak for myself because my voice can influence change on harmful practices that affect us girls and young women.

Niger

Je m’appelle Abdoulaye Idani Kadiatou. Je parle pour moi même car je crois que les Jeunes femmes et filles ont du potentiel à mettre au service de la Nation

Sierra Leone

I am Adama Finda Borway from Sierra Leone. I am the #SHELEADS global girls and young women advisory board representative from Sierra Leone. I speak for myself because it is my fundamental human right as an African woman to speak, act and Lead.

For more information on the aforementioned email: Esther Nyawira via e.nyawira@femnet.or.ke and Imali Ngusale i.ngusale@femnet.or.ke

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