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Côte d'Ivoire

Articles by Côte d'Ivoire

Cac launch
20 March 2024

Capacity Building for IPPF Member Associations for the Success of the Comprehensive Abortion Care Project in West Africa

As part of the regional launch of the Comprehensive Abortion Care in West Africa (CAC) project, a regional launch meeting was held from 13th to 15th March 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Under the leadership of the IPPF ARO Secretariat, the Member Associations (MAs) from Burkina Faso (ABBEF), Cameroon (CAMNAFAW), Niger (ANBEF) and Togo (ATBEF) were invited to strengthen their institutional capacities to ensure the successful and effective implementation of the said project.   Over three days of workshops, punctuated by plenary sessions, engaging PowerPoint presentations, and group work, participants benefited from in-depth learning about the project. They were able to take ownership of the project's requirements and fully understand the essential role that MAs must play in its implementation and monitoring. The sharing of experiences allowed participants to address the project's multiple intervention levers, including service delivery, advocacy, and community mobilization. This meeting was also an opportunity for the MA representatives to re-examine and refine their intervention strategies to align them more closely with the project's objectives and priorities.   At the close of the workshop, a sense of satisfaction emanated from the participants, testifying to the positive impact of this meeting on their respective positions. Several participants highlighted the opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning among MAs that the meeting offered.  "The sessions were all enriching, but I particularly appreciated the ones on sharing experiences. I was impressed by everyone's open-mindedness and the collaborative atmosphere that resulted. The exchanges were constructive, with a sincere desire to find solutions," said **Marie-Ange Bouwem Kamealo, CAC Project Coordinator, ATBEF**. "I found the meeting very pleasant and enriching, with a mastery of the topics covered. I recommend promoting this type of meeting, which is a true framework for sharing experiences," said **Dr Mady Dera, ABBEF**. "I was able to better differentiate between advocacy and social mobilisation," said **Dr Gael Dongmo Kenfack, CAC Project Coordinator, CAMNAFAW**. Some emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative for improving their engagement, especially in a challenging context.   "This workshop was of paramount importance for our team in Niger, because it was a key to opening up the implementation of this project at the level of our MA, given the very sensitive nature of the topic. All the grey areas concerning this project were cleared up during this workshop. This meeting not only allowed us to harmonise the various action plans but also to have an overall view of the coordinated implementation of this project, as well as the role of each MA in the consortium," said **Youmandi Lamoudi, Director of Programmes, ANBEF**. In conclusion, this meeting marked a decisive step in the planning for the successful implementation of the CAC project in West Africa. It strengthened the ties between the MAs and the IPPF ARO Secretariat, while providing participants with the necessary skills to meet the challenges ahead in the field of comprehensive abortion care in West Africa.

FON in NY
15 March 2024

FON Parallel Event at CSW68: Advancing Gender Equality Through Feminist Financing

By Alejandra Garcia In the bustling halls of the CSW68, amidst discussions on global issues and women's rights, the FON Project carved out a space to spotlight an essential aspect of Advancing Equality: Financing with Feminist Approaches. This parallel event gathered a distinguished panel featuring voices from diverse backgrounds, each offering unique perspectives on the crucial role of feminist funding in promoting gender equality worldwide.  Carolina Calle, a sex worker and human rights defender from Colombia, shared her experiences alongside Shelani Palihawadana, Program Director at Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka, Tori Chakma representing Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities in Bangladesh, Mar Merita Blat, Head of Mission Gender at the French Development Agency (AFD), and Marie Josiane Tra Lou, from Initiative Tile in Cote d’Ivoire. Guiding the conversation was Aminata Ba, FON Project Manager from IPPF. The panel's discussions delved into the heart of the matter, highlighting the indispensable role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in economically empowering survivors of gender-based violence, particularly in the Global South. At the core of the discourse was the transformative power of feminist funding and its impact on advancing gender equality on a global scale.  Key insights emerged from the dynamic exchange, emphasizing the urgent need for direct support to feminist movements, especially in regions with fewer resources. The importance of funding dedicated explicitly to women's rights and feminist organizations was underscored, alongside the advocacy for flexible, multi-year grants that offer core support. Such funding mechanisms empower organizations to allocate resources based on their priorities, fostering sustainability and autonomy.  Moreover, the panel shed light on the significance of recognizing and supporting small, informal community groups. Bridging the funding gap and enabling mid-sized women's groups to access more substantial resources emerged as critical strategies for amplifying the impact of feminist funding initiatives. Calls for the decolonization of funding practices, feminist accountability, and a transformation of power dynamics within funding structures resonated throughout the discussions. As the event concluded, participants reflected on actionable recommendations for governments to enhance fiscal regulations supporting medium and informal feminist organizations. The collective commitment to advancing gender equality through feminist financing approaches was palpable, igniting a sense of hope and determination among attendees.  In closing, the FON Project's event at CSW68 serves as a beacon of inspiration for all stakeholders invested in gender equality. Through collaborative efforts and a steadfast dedication to feminist principles in financing, meaningful change can be realized, empowering the feminist movement worldwide. Together, let us continue to strive for a more equitable and just future for all.   

FON partners meeting in Abidjan with Alvaro Bermejo
15 February 2024

IPPF DG and FON organizations in Côte d'Ivoire: Promoting intersectionality for women's rights.

By Aminata Ba On Saturday February 10, the Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, met with FON's grantee organizations in Côte d'Ivoire, principally those based in Abidjan. Held at the headquarters of IPPF's sub-regional office for West and Central Africa, the meeting was attended by Initiative Tile, SOS Forêts, Action et Humanisme and La Fondation Djigui la Grande Espèrance, as well as AIBEF , an IPPF member association. Each of the organizations was accompanied by an allied flagship organization, including the UNDP (with the Inclusive “Governance Initiative project”), Water Life, Organisation Nationale pour l'Enfant, la Femme et la Famille (ONEF), Coalition contre les MGF, and Association des Paralytiques de Côte d'Ivoire (APCI). The organizations shared their experiences, highlighting their work and challenges in the field of feminism and the promotion of the rights of women and marginalized people. Alongside this, they expressed their aspirations for the establishment of gender equality in Côte d'Ivoire. At personal level, they look forward to seeing marginalized populations develop an awareness of their rights, no longer seeing them as favors, but as indispensable freedoms. With regard to policy-makers, their wish is to see the emergence of more harmonious coordination between players involved in the fight against Gender-Based Violence, breaking down existing silos. Intersectionality as an engine for progress in the fight for women's rights in Côte d'Ivoire The IPPF General Director, after listening to these organizations, welcomed the concrete manifestation of intersectionality at the heart of the work of FON grantee CSOs in Côte d'Ivoire. He shared his reflections on the power inherent in this intersectionality. During his visits to Côte d'Ivoire, he understood from the country authorities he met that the delay in adopting a law on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) stems from the challenges associated with cross-sectoral legislation, making it complex to have this law adopted. From a pragmatic perspective, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo advocated in favor of demonstrating the power of CSOs to achieve this intersectionality, setting them up as a concrete example to stimulate the advancement of laws to combat gender-based violence. He emphasized also that this intersection provides a space for exchange and knowledge-sharing between organizations, strengthening their collective impact. In conclusion, this meeting offered a promising vision of strengthened collaboration and significant progress in the promotion of women's rights in Côte d'Ivoire.  

Alvaro in Cote d'Ivoire

Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Côte d’Ivoire: highlights from the IPPF Director General’s visit

Abidjan, February 13, 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, concluded a four-day visit to Côte d’Ivoire last week. Hosted by IPPF member association « Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-Être Familial (AIBEF) », Dr. Bermejo met with key stakeholders to discuss priorities and challenges related to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the country.  “I want to thank the Ivorian government for its efforts and partnership with AIBEF over the years to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare information and services. During my meetings, I emphasized IPPF’s commitment to continue investing and supporting the country’s SRHR efforts. An improved legal framework would facilitate our work and allow us to achieve greater impact,” said Dr. Bermejo.  Highlights from the visit included meetings with the Minister of Health, Dr. Pierre Dimba, the President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, and the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Women, Family and Children, Mr. Moussa Diarrassouba. Discussions focused on ongoing collaboration and future opportunities to strengthen SRHR policy, programming and awareness in Côte d’Ivoire.  Dr. Bermejo also met with key partners including UNFPA, PSI, MSI, IPAS, PATHFINDER and local NGOs supporting AIBEF’s work on the ground. Partners highlighted impactful partnerships on various SRHR issues and exploring ways to enhance collaboration moving forward. The visit also included a meeting with UNAIDS Country Office to identify opportunities for closer collaboration between HIV and family planning services.  At the community level, Dr. Bermejo visited “Espace Confiance”, an AIBEF-supported clinic providing SRHR services to key populations, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, transgender people, and sex workers. He spoke directly with clients to better understand the services they access and persistent barriers faced. Finally, recognizing the importance of leaving no one behind, the Director General visited the National Ivorian Institute for the Promotion of the Blind (INIPA) which recently received support from AIBEF to translate a comprehensive sexuality education manual into braille so visually impaired young people can access this critical information.  “This visit allowed for critical high-level discussions about how we can work together to fully meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of all people in Côte d’Ivoire. It also revealed grassroots perspectives to ensure our programmes address barriers and gaps experienced by key populations and marginalized groups on a daily basis as we advance universal health coverage,” concluded Dr. Bermejo.   

FON ok
04 August 2023

FON, a new era of feminism in Africa.

By Martine Ouédraogo, Coordination Assistant (Junior Professional Program). As a member of the Organizing Committee, I took part in the first face to face meeting of the Advisory and Regional Coordination Committee of the FON project in Assinie, Côte d'Ivoire from July 25 to 28, 2023. FON has launched its first call for expressions of interest on May 5, 2023 and the purpose of this meeting was mainly to review all applications received and make final decisions on the feminist organizations of the first cohort of organisations to receive FON funds in Africa and the amounts to be granted. As a reminder, Feminist Opportunities now (FON) is a project funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs as part of their feminist foreign policy, whose primary objective is to strengthen the capacities of feminists movements, so that they are in a better position to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. IPPF - AR , as leader of the consortium, which is also composed by CR E A , Empow'Her , the International Federation of Human Rights and Médecins du Monde France (MdM) , manages the implementation of the project which will be carried out in ten countries on three continents including Mexico and Colombia (led by MdM), Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (led by CREA) and Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya and Niger (led by IPPF-AR). Five representatives of the consortium organizations and six representatives of feminist civil society organizations worked together on the selection criteria and transparently selected the feminist organizations that FON will support in this first phase of the program in the six African countries of the project. These 6 representatives who, voluntarily collaborate with the FON Project, Theatre for a Change (TfaC), AKILIDADA, ATHENA Network, Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), Initiative Pananetugri pour le Bienêtre de la Femme ( IPBF ) and African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) The work was sometimes organized in groups, but the teams always met in plenary to share their different points of view concerning the applications. Some members who could not make the trip, joined online. The discussions were very animated, sometimes stormy, but always respectful and with a common objective: to succeed in selecting the feminist organizations most in need of financial and technical support. It should be emphasized that it was necessary to select about five applications per country – that is to say about thirty applications in all -, which was not an easy task in view of the large number of applications received, most of them being of very good quality. On Friday July 28, 2023, representatives of the French Development Agency joined the premises to participate in the discussions and provide answers to the concerns of the members of the Committee. Emy SICARD DELACE, Project Manager on Gender Issues at AFD in Cote d'Ivoire, and Nelly RELIAT , Health and Social Protection Project Manager at AFD, the French Development Agency (donor of the Project) recognized the fact that there are a significant number of civil society organizations that need funding, but are structurally excluded from funding because they are not structured, and sometimes even not legally registered. It is with this in mind that AFD wants to support these CSOs, in all their diversity, by building their capacities, promoting training between peers, and facilitating networking. They expect these selected organizations to be able to better respond to the multiple challenges of gender-based violence in their contexts with a feminist approach. A final meeting is scheduled by video conference this week to finalize the process and draw lessons for future calls for applications. As a young feminist, I believe that the FON Project will foster cohesion among feminist organizations in Africa so that the fight for gender equality will be a reality one day not far away .

FON family photo
02 August 2023

FON, une nouvelle ère du féminisme en Afrique.

Par Martine Ouédraogo, Assistant à la coordination (Programme professionnel junior). En tant que membre du Comité d'organisation, j'ai pris part à la première rencontre du Comité Consultatif et de Coordination Régionale du projet FON à Assinie, Côte d’Ivoire du 25 au 28 juillet 2023. FON ayant lancé son premier appel à manifestations d’intérêt le 5 mai 2023, le but de cette rencontre était principalement d'examiner toutes les candidatures reçues et prendre des décisions finales sur les organisations féministes récipiendaires des fonds qui composeront la première cohorte de FON en Afrique et les montants à accorder. Pour rappel, Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) est un projet financé par l'Agence Française de Développement (AFD) et le Ministère Français de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères dans le cadre de leur politique extérieure féministe, dont l’objectif primordial est de renforcer les capacités des mouvements féministes, afin d’être en meilleure capacité de prévenir et de répondre aux violences basées sur le genre. IPPF-AR, en tant que chef de file du consortium, composé également par CREA, Empow'Her, la Fédération Internationale des Droits de l'Homme et Médecins du Monde France, gère la mise en œuvre du projet qui sera réalisé dans dix pays sur trois continents dont le Mexique et la Colombie, pilotés par MdM, le Bangladesh et le Sri Lanka (pilotés par CREA) et le Burkina Faso, l'Éthiopie, la Guinée, la Côte d'Ivoire, le Kenya et le Niger (pilotés par IPPF-AR). Cinq représentants des organisations du consortium et six représentants d’organisations féministes de la société civile ont travaillé ensemble sur les critères de sélection et ont retenu, de façon transparente, les organisations féministes que FON va appuyer dans cette première phase du programme dans les six pays africains du projet. Ces 6 représentants qui collaborent bénévolement au Projet FON sont Théâtre For A Change (TfaC), AKILIDADA, ATHENA Network, Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), Initiative Pananetugri pour le Bienêtre de la Femme (IPBF) et African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA). Les travaux étaient parfois organisés en groupe, mais les équipes se retrouvaient toujours en plénière pour partager leurs différents points de vue concernant les candidatures. Certains membres qui ne pouvaient faire le déplacement se sont joints en ligne. Les discussions étaient très animées, parfois houleuses, mais toujours respectueuses et avec un objectif commun : réussir à sélectionner les organisations féministes le plus en besoin d’appui financier et technique. Il faut souligner qu'il fallait retenir environ cinq candidatures par pays – soit une trentaine de candidatures en tout -, ce qui n'a pas été une tâche facile au regard du grand nombre de candidatures reçues, la plupart étant plus que pertinentes. Le vendredi 28 juillet 2023, des représentantes de l'Agence Française de Développement, ont rejoint les lieux pour participer aux discussions et apporter des réponses aux préoccupations des membres du Comité. Emy SICARD DELACE, Chargée de projets sur les questions du genre de l'AFD en Cote d’Ivoire, et Nelly RELIAT, Responsable de projets santé et protection sociale de l'AFD, l'Agence française de développement (bailleur de fond du Projet) reconnaissaient le fait qu'il y a un nombre important d'organisations de la société civile qui ont besoin de financement, mais sont structurellement exclues des financements parce qu'elles ne sont pas structurées, voire parfois, pas enregistrées légalement. C'est dans cette optique que l'AFD veut accompagner ces OSC, dans toute leur diversité, en renforçant leurs capacités, en favorisant la formation entre pairs, et en facilitant la mise en réseau. Elles attendent que ces organisations sélectionnées soient en mesure de mieux répondre aux multiples défis des violences basées sur le genre dans leur contexte avec une approche féministe. Une dernière rencontre est prévue en vidéo conférence cette semaine afin de finaliser le processus et tirer les leçons pour les prochains appels à candidature.  En tant que jeune féministe, je pense que le Projet FON va favoriser la proximité et la cohésion entre les organisations féministes en Afrique afin que la lutte pour l’égalité des genres soit une réalité un jour pas lointain.

FON family photo
16 March 2023

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organizations Around the World

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) is a programme that aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilience Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is the FON consortium lead, with the other consortium partners being Médecins du Monde (MdM-FR), Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), the International Federation on Human Rights (FIDH) and Empow’Her (EH). The programme is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). The action of the consortium's member organizations is based on feminist principles, a deep commitment to the promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. They have a long experience of the themes of the programme mandates and complementary expertise that underpin the robustness of the holistic approach of the programme.   The Challenge  Gender inequalities on a global scale affect half of the world's population. Gender inequality is one of the main obstacles to human development. The FON Programme seeks to address such inequalities. Some of the challenges leading to these inequalities include: Lack of and/or effective implementation of comprehensive laws, policies, legal instruments to address gender inequalities worldwide, leading to increased gender inequalities. Lack of or limited implementation of the frameworks, which widens inequalities and aggravate the precariousness of women and girls- particularly people with disabilities, living with HIV, sex workers, and those of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)  COVID-19 that dramatically exacerbated social and economic challenges leading to an increase in gender-based violence (GBV).  Inadequate involvement of people with disabilities (15% of the world's population), LGBTI+, sex workers and people living with HIV-AIDS, in initiatives to promote and defend their rights, and the least associated in preventing and responding to this violence. Inadequate support to nascent or relatively new Civil Society Organizations many of which remain undeclared, and, despite their effervescence and dynamism, they continue to face challenges that restrict their ability to reduce GBV and protect and promote women's rights. Limited creation of an innovative and flexible financing system in order to strengthen the contribution of CSOs in the South, in all their diversity, to the reduction of GBV. Objectives of the Programme  To Improve the sustainability of feminist Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at the organizational and technical levels by proposing an inclusive approach to capacity building.   To support the resilience and diversity of feminist CSOs through access to flexible sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to small and/or informal and/or marginalized CSOs. To strengthen a networked movement of feminist CSOs in the Global South, linking these CSOs and national, regional, and international networks, to make their voices heard on the public stage.     To promote innovation at all levels of the programme by the CSOs themselves and the consortium member organisations.   Targets of the Programme  Feminist CSOs working with and/or for the various structurally excluded groups. Activist organizations working with or led by people who may face particularly high discrimination. Gender inequalities and GBV, such as members of the LGBTI+ community and in general people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities and Gender Expressions (SOGIE). People living with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS.  Sex workers.  Indirectly, targets of advocacy activities (regional bodies, national / local authorities, etc)   Approaches of the Programme  Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilient Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination, and other human rights violations related to gender. FON will set up Regional Coordination and Advisory Committees in each region (Africa, Asia and Latin America), whose role will be to help ensure inclusiveness and identify advocacy opportunities. The Sub-granting will be phased into three categories or funding windows below, and for which the first call for proposals is scheduled to be launched in April 2023: Window 1 / "Boost" The objective is for the feminist CSOs or young feminists to have the enhanced capacity to face external events (political instability, insecurity, etc.) and/or internal hurdles (organisational difficulties, necessary a project co-funding or additional programme component etc.). This window should also allow CSOs to apply for a grant in case of an upcoming opportunity such as in programming, advocacy, etc. Key words are therefore flexibility and opportunity. Window 2/ "Programmatic & Organizational Development" will support small and middle-size CSOs and young feminists that are trying to grow from an organisational, technical and programmatic point of view. The objective is to simultaneously fund a programme while reinforcing the capacities of the recipient organizations programme. Window 3 / "Synergies" will fund networks, movements and alliances to implement advocacy activities on GBV, and organizations that want to get involved in existing networks.  It will promote network and alliance building and promote visibility on national, regional and international platforms.   Location Justification  Equity is a pillar integrated in the FON implementation strategy. The programme will be implemented in 10 countries including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and  potentially Niger), two in Latin America (Colombia and Mexico) and two in Asia (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). FON put great consideration to determine the location of the implementation of the programme using below criteria: Countries where the needs of CSOs for support are strong and the potential for exchanges and collaborations is high. Existing normative and policy frameworks but little or no implementation and respect in national law. The needs of the populations are immense and in varying proportions from one country to another, also revealing a wide potential for learning and training. Contexts that exacerbate gender-based violence and increase the need for support for feminist CSOs. Potential for collaboration with other existing and/or new interventions.  To read more about the FON consortium partners' workshop, click here.  

Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organisations Around The World

7 February 2023, Nairobi, Kenya – The International Planned Parenthood (IPPF) Africa Region in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, launches a new program which aims at strengthening feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in 10 countries and over 3 continents – the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project. The Feminist Opportunities Now project will help small feminist local organisations become more diverse and resilient when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. The program is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). This project will be implemented in 10 countries, including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya and potentially Niger). Others are Colombia, Mexico, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Speaking during the launch of the FON project held at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 7 February, the IPPF Africa Regional Director, Ms. Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry said “gender-based violence in all its forms is recognised as a human rights violation by the international human rights framework and jurisprudence. Gender inequality, power imbalance and lack of respect for human rights are often the root causes of such heinous acts and prevent survivors from accessing and enjoying their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. As human rights defenders, we must all take a stand and put a stop to these inexcusable acts.” The Feminist Opportunities Now is a project which is grounded on feminist principles with a deep commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. END For media enquiries, please contact: Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist -Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) on [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW (FON) PROJECT The objective of the project Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants to feminist organisations, with a particular effort to reaching small, often non-registered, organisations to address and respond to gender-based violence. The programme is developed based on an ecological model, using multi-disciplinary gender-transformative approaches. In addition to direct sub-granting (for € 7 million), FON will also provide a unique opportunity for longer-term mentorship to support feminist organisations in their overall development, with trainings specifically tailored to their needs. FON will also uniquely support the organisations to identify other/diverse sources of funding and also includes a research-action component to understand how these approaches can be scaled-up and made sustainable. ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW CONSORTIUM The consortium that will implement this project is composed of the International Federation for Family Planning Africa Regional Office as lead agency, Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), Empow'Her (EH), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Médecins du Monde-France (MdM-FR).  

FON cover 1

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON)

      CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa Region (IPPFAR) is pleased to announce a call for Expressions of Interest for interested organizations to become involved in their Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) programme, and join the Regional Coordination and Advisory Committee (RCAC), the advisory body that will to ensure inclusive and participatory governance of FON’s grant-making mechanism for feminist organizations across Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Kenya and potentially Niger.   Apply by 19 February 2023 More infos : https://bit.ly/3wJeV7o    

Abidjan launch party

IPPF West And Central Africa Sub Office launch event

The Africa Regional Office of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (#IPPF) gathered from 17 to 22 October in Abidjan, all the Executive Directors and Presidents of the Youth Action Movements (YAMs) of its Member Associations in West and Central Africa (Francophone, Anglophone and Lusophone) as part of the launch of its new sub-office for West and Central Africa. Watch the highlights of this event here: Abidjan Sub Office Launch Photo Album and on the below video.

Cac launch
20 March 2024

Capacity Building for IPPF Member Associations for the Success of the Comprehensive Abortion Care Project in West Africa

As part of the regional launch of the Comprehensive Abortion Care in West Africa (CAC) project, a regional launch meeting was held from 13th to 15th March 2024 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Under the leadership of the IPPF ARO Secretariat, the Member Associations (MAs) from Burkina Faso (ABBEF), Cameroon (CAMNAFAW), Niger (ANBEF) and Togo (ATBEF) were invited to strengthen their institutional capacities to ensure the successful and effective implementation of the said project.   Over three days of workshops, punctuated by plenary sessions, engaging PowerPoint presentations, and group work, participants benefited from in-depth learning about the project. They were able to take ownership of the project's requirements and fully understand the essential role that MAs must play in its implementation and monitoring. The sharing of experiences allowed participants to address the project's multiple intervention levers, including service delivery, advocacy, and community mobilization. This meeting was also an opportunity for the MA representatives to re-examine and refine their intervention strategies to align them more closely with the project's objectives and priorities.   At the close of the workshop, a sense of satisfaction emanated from the participants, testifying to the positive impact of this meeting on their respective positions. Several participants highlighted the opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning among MAs that the meeting offered.  "The sessions were all enriching, but I particularly appreciated the ones on sharing experiences. I was impressed by everyone's open-mindedness and the collaborative atmosphere that resulted. The exchanges were constructive, with a sincere desire to find solutions," said **Marie-Ange Bouwem Kamealo, CAC Project Coordinator, ATBEF**. "I found the meeting very pleasant and enriching, with a mastery of the topics covered. I recommend promoting this type of meeting, which is a true framework for sharing experiences," said **Dr Mady Dera, ABBEF**. "I was able to better differentiate between advocacy and social mobilisation," said **Dr Gael Dongmo Kenfack, CAC Project Coordinator, CAMNAFAW**. Some emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative for improving their engagement, especially in a challenging context.   "This workshop was of paramount importance for our team in Niger, because it was a key to opening up the implementation of this project at the level of our MA, given the very sensitive nature of the topic. All the grey areas concerning this project were cleared up during this workshop. This meeting not only allowed us to harmonise the various action plans but also to have an overall view of the coordinated implementation of this project, as well as the role of each MA in the consortium," said **Youmandi Lamoudi, Director of Programmes, ANBEF**. In conclusion, this meeting marked a decisive step in the planning for the successful implementation of the CAC project in West Africa. It strengthened the ties between the MAs and the IPPF ARO Secretariat, while providing participants with the necessary skills to meet the challenges ahead in the field of comprehensive abortion care in West Africa.

FON in NY
15 March 2024

FON Parallel Event at CSW68: Advancing Gender Equality Through Feminist Financing

By Alejandra Garcia In the bustling halls of the CSW68, amidst discussions on global issues and women's rights, the FON Project carved out a space to spotlight an essential aspect of Advancing Equality: Financing with Feminist Approaches. This parallel event gathered a distinguished panel featuring voices from diverse backgrounds, each offering unique perspectives on the crucial role of feminist funding in promoting gender equality worldwide.  Carolina Calle, a sex worker and human rights defender from Colombia, shared her experiences alongside Shelani Palihawadana, Program Director at Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka, Tori Chakma representing Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities in Bangladesh, Mar Merita Blat, Head of Mission Gender at the French Development Agency (AFD), and Marie Josiane Tra Lou, from Initiative Tile in Cote d’Ivoire. Guiding the conversation was Aminata Ba, FON Project Manager from IPPF. The panel's discussions delved into the heart of the matter, highlighting the indispensable role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in economically empowering survivors of gender-based violence, particularly in the Global South. At the core of the discourse was the transformative power of feminist funding and its impact on advancing gender equality on a global scale.  Key insights emerged from the dynamic exchange, emphasizing the urgent need for direct support to feminist movements, especially in regions with fewer resources. The importance of funding dedicated explicitly to women's rights and feminist organizations was underscored, alongside the advocacy for flexible, multi-year grants that offer core support. Such funding mechanisms empower organizations to allocate resources based on their priorities, fostering sustainability and autonomy.  Moreover, the panel shed light on the significance of recognizing and supporting small, informal community groups. Bridging the funding gap and enabling mid-sized women's groups to access more substantial resources emerged as critical strategies for amplifying the impact of feminist funding initiatives. Calls for the decolonization of funding practices, feminist accountability, and a transformation of power dynamics within funding structures resonated throughout the discussions. As the event concluded, participants reflected on actionable recommendations for governments to enhance fiscal regulations supporting medium and informal feminist organizations. The collective commitment to advancing gender equality through feminist financing approaches was palpable, igniting a sense of hope and determination among attendees.  In closing, the FON Project's event at CSW68 serves as a beacon of inspiration for all stakeholders invested in gender equality. Through collaborative efforts and a steadfast dedication to feminist principles in financing, meaningful change can be realized, empowering the feminist movement worldwide. Together, let us continue to strive for a more equitable and just future for all.   

FON partners meeting in Abidjan with Alvaro Bermejo
15 February 2024

IPPF DG and FON organizations in Côte d'Ivoire: Promoting intersectionality for women's rights.

By Aminata Ba On Saturday February 10, the Director General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, met with FON's grantee organizations in Côte d'Ivoire, principally those based in Abidjan. Held at the headquarters of IPPF's sub-regional office for West and Central Africa, the meeting was attended by Initiative Tile, SOS Forêts, Action et Humanisme and La Fondation Djigui la Grande Espèrance, as well as AIBEF , an IPPF member association. Each of the organizations was accompanied by an allied flagship organization, including the UNDP (with the Inclusive “Governance Initiative project”), Water Life, Organisation Nationale pour l'Enfant, la Femme et la Famille (ONEF), Coalition contre les MGF, and Association des Paralytiques de Côte d'Ivoire (APCI). The organizations shared their experiences, highlighting their work and challenges in the field of feminism and the promotion of the rights of women and marginalized people. Alongside this, they expressed their aspirations for the establishment of gender equality in Côte d'Ivoire. At personal level, they look forward to seeing marginalized populations develop an awareness of their rights, no longer seeing them as favors, but as indispensable freedoms. With regard to policy-makers, their wish is to see the emergence of more harmonious coordination between players involved in the fight against Gender-Based Violence, breaking down existing silos. Intersectionality as an engine for progress in the fight for women's rights in Côte d'Ivoire The IPPF General Director, after listening to these organizations, welcomed the concrete manifestation of intersectionality at the heart of the work of FON grantee CSOs in Côte d'Ivoire. He shared his reflections on the power inherent in this intersectionality. During his visits to Côte d'Ivoire, he understood from the country authorities he met that the delay in adopting a law on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) stems from the challenges associated with cross-sectoral legislation, making it complex to have this law adopted. From a pragmatic perspective, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo advocated in favor of demonstrating the power of CSOs to achieve this intersectionality, setting them up as a concrete example to stimulate the advancement of laws to combat gender-based violence. He emphasized also that this intersection provides a space for exchange and knowledge-sharing between organizations, strengthening their collective impact. In conclusion, this meeting offered a promising vision of strengthened collaboration and significant progress in the promotion of women's rights in Côte d'Ivoire.  

Alvaro in Cote d'Ivoire

Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in Côte d’Ivoire: highlights from the IPPF Director General’s visit

Abidjan, February 13, 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation’s (IPPF) Director General, Dr. Alvaro Bermejo, concluded a four-day visit to Côte d’Ivoire last week. Hosted by IPPF member association « Association Ivoirienne pour le Bien-Être Familial (AIBEF) », Dr. Bermejo met with key stakeholders to discuss priorities and challenges related to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the country.  “I want to thank the Ivorian government for its efforts and partnership with AIBEF over the years to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare information and services. During my meetings, I emphasized IPPF’s commitment to continue investing and supporting the country’s SRHR efforts. An improved legal framework would facilitate our work and allow us to achieve greater impact,” said Dr. Bermejo.  Highlights from the visit included meetings with the Minister of Health, Dr. Pierre Dimba, the President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Dr. Eugène Aka Aouélé, and the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Women, Family and Children, Mr. Moussa Diarrassouba. Discussions focused on ongoing collaboration and future opportunities to strengthen SRHR policy, programming and awareness in Côte d’Ivoire.  Dr. Bermejo also met with key partners including UNFPA, PSI, MSI, IPAS, PATHFINDER and local NGOs supporting AIBEF’s work on the ground. Partners highlighted impactful partnerships on various SRHR issues and exploring ways to enhance collaboration moving forward. The visit also included a meeting with UNAIDS Country Office to identify opportunities for closer collaboration between HIV and family planning services.  At the community level, Dr. Bermejo visited “Espace Confiance”, an AIBEF-supported clinic providing SRHR services to key populations, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, transgender people, and sex workers. He spoke directly with clients to better understand the services they access and persistent barriers faced. Finally, recognizing the importance of leaving no one behind, the Director General visited the National Ivorian Institute for the Promotion of the Blind (INIPA) which recently received support from AIBEF to translate a comprehensive sexuality education manual into braille so visually impaired young people can access this critical information.  “This visit allowed for critical high-level discussions about how we can work together to fully meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of all people in Côte d’Ivoire. It also revealed grassroots perspectives to ensure our programmes address barriers and gaps experienced by key populations and marginalized groups on a daily basis as we advance universal health coverage,” concluded Dr. Bermejo.   

FON ok
04 August 2023

FON, a new era of feminism in Africa.

By Martine Ouédraogo, Coordination Assistant (Junior Professional Program). As a member of the Organizing Committee, I took part in the first face to face meeting of the Advisory and Regional Coordination Committee of the FON project in Assinie, Côte d'Ivoire from July 25 to 28, 2023. FON has launched its first call for expressions of interest on May 5, 2023 and the purpose of this meeting was mainly to review all applications received and make final decisions on the feminist organizations of the first cohort of organisations to receive FON funds in Africa and the amounts to be granted. As a reminder, Feminist Opportunities now (FON) is a project funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs as part of their feminist foreign policy, whose primary objective is to strengthen the capacities of feminists movements, so that they are in a better position to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. IPPF - AR , as leader of the consortium, which is also composed by CR E A , Empow'Her , the International Federation of Human Rights and Médecins du Monde France (MdM) , manages the implementation of the project which will be carried out in ten countries on three continents including Mexico and Colombia (led by MdM), Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (led by CREA) and Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya and Niger (led by IPPF-AR). Five representatives of the consortium organizations and six representatives of feminist civil society organizations worked together on the selection criteria and transparently selected the feminist organizations that FON will support in this first phase of the program in the six African countries of the project. These 6 representatives who, voluntarily collaborate with the FON Project, Theatre for a Change (TfaC), AKILIDADA, ATHENA Network, Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), Initiative Pananetugri pour le Bienêtre de la Femme ( IPBF ) and African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA) The work was sometimes organized in groups, but the teams always met in plenary to share their different points of view concerning the applications. Some members who could not make the trip, joined online. The discussions were very animated, sometimes stormy, but always respectful and with a common objective: to succeed in selecting the feminist organizations most in need of financial and technical support. It should be emphasized that it was necessary to select about five applications per country – that is to say about thirty applications in all -, which was not an easy task in view of the large number of applications received, most of them being of very good quality. On Friday July 28, 2023, representatives of the French Development Agency joined the premises to participate in the discussions and provide answers to the concerns of the members of the Committee. Emy SICARD DELACE, Project Manager on Gender Issues at AFD in Cote d'Ivoire, and Nelly RELIAT , Health and Social Protection Project Manager at AFD, the French Development Agency (donor of the Project) recognized the fact that there are a significant number of civil society organizations that need funding, but are structurally excluded from funding because they are not structured, and sometimes even not legally registered. It is with this in mind that AFD wants to support these CSOs, in all their diversity, by building their capacities, promoting training between peers, and facilitating networking. They expect these selected organizations to be able to better respond to the multiple challenges of gender-based violence in their contexts with a feminist approach. A final meeting is scheduled by video conference this week to finalize the process and draw lessons for future calls for applications. As a young feminist, I believe that the FON Project will foster cohesion among feminist organizations in Africa so that the fight for gender equality will be a reality one day not far away .

FON family photo
02 August 2023

FON, une nouvelle ère du féminisme en Afrique.

Par Martine Ouédraogo, Assistant à la coordination (Programme professionnel junior). En tant que membre du Comité d'organisation, j'ai pris part à la première rencontre du Comité Consultatif et de Coordination Régionale du projet FON à Assinie, Côte d’Ivoire du 25 au 28 juillet 2023. FON ayant lancé son premier appel à manifestations d’intérêt le 5 mai 2023, le but de cette rencontre était principalement d'examiner toutes les candidatures reçues et prendre des décisions finales sur les organisations féministes récipiendaires des fonds qui composeront la première cohorte de FON en Afrique et les montants à accorder. Pour rappel, Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) est un projet financé par l'Agence Française de Développement (AFD) et le Ministère Français de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères dans le cadre de leur politique extérieure féministe, dont l’objectif primordial est de renforcer les capacités des mouvements féministes, afin d’être en meilleure capacité de prévenir et de répondre aux violences basées sur le genre. IPPF-AR, en tant que chef de file du consortium, composé également par CREA, Empow'Her, la Fédération Internationale des Droits de l'Homme et Médecins du Monde France, gère la mise en œuvre du projet qui sera réalisé dans dix pays sur trois continents dont le Mexique et la Colombie, pilotés par MdM, le Bangladesh et le Sri Lanka (pilotés par CREA) et le Burkina Faso, l'Éthiopie, la Guinée, la Côte d'Ivoire, le Kenya et le Niger (pilotés par IPPF-AR). Cinq représentants des organisations du consortium et six représentants d’organisations féministes de la société civile ont travaillé ensemble sur les critères de sélection et ont retenu, de façon transparente, les organisations féministes que FON va appuyer dans cette première phase du programme dans les six pays africains du projet. Ces 6 représentants qui collaborent bénévolement au Projet FON sont Théâtre For A Change (TfaC), AKILIDADA, ATHENA Network, Safe Abortion Action Fund (SAAF), Initiative Pananetugri pour le Bienêtre de la Femme (IPBF) et African Sex Workers Alliance (ASWA). Les travaux étaient parfois organisés en groupe, mais les équipes se retrouvaient toujours en plénière pour partager leurs différents points de vue concernant les candidatures. Certains membres qui ne pouvaient faire le déplacement se sont joints en ligne. Les discussions étaient très animées, parfois houleuses, mais toujours respectueuses et avec un objectif commun : réussir à sélectionner les organisations féministes le plus en besoin d’appui financier et technique. Il faut souligner qu'il fallait retenir environ cinq candidatures par pays – soit une trentaine de candidatures en tout -, ce qui n'a pas été une tâche facile au regard du grand nombre de candidatures reçues, la plupart étant plus que pertinentes. Le vendredi 28 juillet 2023, des représentantes de l'Agence Française de Développement, ont rejoint les lieux pour participer aux discussions et apporter des réponses aux préoccupations des membres du Comité. Emy SICARD DELACE, Chargée de projets sur les questions du genre de l'AFD en Cote d’Ivoire, et Nelly RELIAT, Responsable de projets santé et protection sociale de l'AFD, l'Agence française de développement (bailleur de fond du Projet) reconnaissaient le fait qu'il y a un nombre important d'organisations de la société civile qui ont besoin de financement, mais sont structurellement exclues des financements parce qu'elles ne sont pas structurées, voire parfois, pas enregistrées légalement. C'est dans cette optique que l'AFD veut accompagner ces OSC, dans toute leur diversité, en renforçant leurs capacités, en favorisant la formation entre pairs, et en facilitant la mise en réseau. Elles attendent que ces organisations sélectionnées soient en mesure de mieux répondre aux multiples défis des violences basées sur le genre dans leur contexte avec une approche féministe. Une dernière rencontre est prévue en vidéo conférence cette semaine afin de finaliser le processus et tirer les leçons pour les prochains appels à candidature.  En tant que jeune féministe, je pense que le Projet FON va favoriser la proximité et la cohésion entre les organisations féministes en Afrique afin que la lutte pour l’égalité des genres soit une réalité un jour pas lointain.

FON family photo
16 March 2023

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organizations Around the World

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) is a programme that aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilience Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is the FON consortium lead, with the other consortium partners being Médecins du Monde (MdM-FR), Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), the International Federation on Human Rights (FIDH) and Empow’Her (EH). The programme is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). The action of the consortium's member organizations is based on feminist principles, a deep commitment to the promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. They have a long experience of the themes of the programme mandates and complementary expertise that underpin the robustness of the holistic approach of the programme.   The Challenge  Gender inequalities on a global scale affect half of the world's population. Gender inequality is one of the main obstacles to human development. The FON Programme seeks to address such inequalities. Some of the challenges leading to these inequalities include: Lack of and/or effective implementation of comprehensive laws, policies, legal instruments to address gender inequalities worldwide, leading to increased gender inequalities. Lack of or limited implementation of the frameworks, which widens inequalities and aggravate the precariousness of women and girls- particularly people with disabilities, living with HIV, sex workers, and those of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI)  COVID-19 that dramatically exacerbated social and economic challenges leading to an increase in gender-based violence (GBV).  Inadequate involvement of people with disabilities (15% of the world's population), LGBTI+, sex workers and people living with HIV-AIDS, in initiatives to promote and defend their rights, and the least associated in preventing and responding to this violence. Inadequate support to nascent or relatively new Civil Society Organizations many of which remain undeclared, and, despite their effervescence and dynamism, they continue to face challenges that restrict their ability to reduce GBV and protect and promote women's rights. Limited creation of an innovative and flexible financing system in order to strengthen the contribution of CSOs in the South, in all their diversity, to the reduction of GBV. Objectives of the Programme  To Improve the sustainability of feminist Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at the organizational and technical levels by proposing an inclusive approach to capacity building.   To support the resilience and diversity of feminist CSOs through access to flexible sustainable financing mechanisms tailored to small and/or informal and/or marginalized CSOs. To strengthen a networked movement of feminist CSOs in the Global South, linking these CSOs and national, regional, and international networks, to make their voices heard on the public stage.     To promote innovation at all levels of the programme by the CSOs themselves and the consortium member organisations.   Targets of the Programme  Feminist CSOs working with and/or for the various structurally excluded groups. Activist organizations working with or led by people who may face particularly high discrimination. Gender inequalities and GBV, such as members of the LGBTI+ community and in general people with diverse sexual orientation and gender identities and Gender Expressions (SOGIE). People living with disabilities. People with HIV/AIDS.  Sex workers.  Indirectly, targets of advocacy activities (regional bodies, national / local authorities, etc)   Approaches of the Programme  Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) aims to build capacity of feminist organisations via subgrants to enhance more diverse and resilient Civil Society Organisations when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination, and other human rights violations related to gender. FON will set up Regional Coordination and Advisory Committees in each region (Africa, Asia and Latin America), whose role will be to help ensure inclusiveness and identify advocacy opportunities. The Sub-granting will be phased into three categories or funding windows below, and for which the first call for proposals is scheduled to be launched in April 2023: Window 1 / "Boost" The objective is for the feminist CSOs or young feminists to have the enhanced capacity to face external events (political instability, insecurity, etc.) and/or internal hurdles (organisational difficulties, necessary a project co-funding or additional programme component etc.). This window should also allow CSOs to apply for a grant in case of an upcoming opportunity such as in programming, advocacy, etc. Key words are therefore flexibility and opportunity. Window 2/ "Programmatic & Organizational Development" will support small and middle-size CSOs and young feminists that are trying to grow from an organisational, technical and programmatic point of view. The objective is to simultaneously fund a programme while reinforcing the capacities of the recipient organizations programme. Window 3 / "Synergies" will fund networks, movements and alliances to implement advocacy activities on GBV, and organizations that want to get involved in existing networks.  It will promote network and alliance building and promote visibility on national, regional and international platforms.   Location Justification  Equity is a pillar integrated in the FON implementation strategy. The programme will be implemented in 10 countries including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Kenya, and  potentially Niger), two in Latin America (Colombia and Mexico) and two in Asia (Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). FON put great consideration to determine the location of the implementation of the programme using below criteria: Countries where the needs of CSOs for support are strong and the potential for exchanges and collaborations is high. Existing normative and policy frameworks but little or no implementation and respect in national law. The needs of the populations are immense and in varying proportions from one country to another, also revealing a wide potential for learning and training. Contexts that exacerbate gender-based violence and increase the need for support for feminist CSOs. Potential for collaboration with other existing and/or new interventions.  To read more about the FON consortium partners' workshop, click here.  

Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry

Feminist Opportunities Now: Empowering Feminist Organisations Around The World

7 February 2023, Nairobi, Kenya – The International Planned Parenthood (IPPF) Africa Region in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, launches a new program which aims at strengthening feminist civil society organisations (CSOs) in 10 countries and over 3 continents – the Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) project. The Feminist Opportunities Now project will help small feminist local organisations become more diverse and resilient when addressing and responding to gender-based violence, inequalities, discrimination and other human rights violations related to gender. The program is funded by the French Government via the French Development Agency (AFD). This project will be implemented in 10 countries, including six in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Ethiopia, Kenya and potentially Niger). Others are Colombia, Mexico, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Speaking during the launch of the FON project held at the French Embassy in Nairobi on 7 February, the IPPF Africa Regional Director, Ms. Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry said “gender-based violence in all its forms is recognised as a human rights violation by the international human rights framework and jurisprudence. Gender inequality, power imbalance and lack of respect for human rights are often the root causes of such heinous acts and prevent survivors from accessing and enjoying their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. As human rights defenders, we must all take a stand and put a stop to these inexcusable acts.” The Feminist Opportunities Now is a project which is grounded on feminist principles with a deep commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights and the fight against inequalities and discrimination, especially against women and girls. END For media enquiries, please contact: Mahmoud Garga, Lead Specialist -Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) on [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW (FON) PROJECT The objective of the project Feminist Opportunities Now (FON), is to build the capacity of women's movements, via sub-grants to feminist organisations, with a particular effort to reaching small, often non-registered, organisations to address and respond to gender-based violence. The programme is developed based on an ecological model, using multi-disciplinary gender-transformative approaches. In addition to direct sub-granting (for € 7 million), FON will also provide a unique opportunity for longer-term mentorship to support feminist organisations in their overall development, with trainings specifically tailored to their needs. FON will also uniquely support the organisations to identify other/diverse sources of funding and also includes a research-action component to understand how these approaches can be scaled-up and made sustainable. ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. ABOUT THE FEMINIST OPPORTUNITIES NOW CONSORTIUM The consortium that will implement this project is composed of the International Federation for Family Planning Africa Regional Office as lead agency, Creating Resources for Empowerment and Action Inc. (CREA), Empow'Her (EH), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Médecins du Monde-France (MdM-FR).  

FON cover 1

Feminist Opportunities Now (FON)

      CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST The International Planned Parenthood Federation for Africa Region (IPPFAR) is pleased to announce a call for Expressions of Interest for interested organizations to become involved in their Feminist Opportunities Now (FON) programme, and join the Regional Coordination and Advisory Committee (RCAC), the advisory body that will to ensure inclusive and participatory governance of FON’s grant-making mechanism for feminist organizations across Africa: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Kenya and potentially Niger.   Apply by 19 February 2023 More infos : https://bit.ly/3wJeV7o    

Abidjan launch party

IPPF West And Central Africa Sub Office launch event

The Africa Regional Office of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (#IPPF) gathered from 17 to 22 October in Abidjan, all the Executive Directors and Presidents of the Youth Action Movements (YAMs) of its Member Associations in West and Central Africa (Francophone, Anglophone and Lusophone) as part of the launch of its new sub-office for West and Central Africa. Watch the highlights of this event here: Abidjan Sub Office Launch Photo Album and on the below video.