The Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) convened over 40 prominent human rights advocates, African Union representatives, civil society actors, government officials, and media in Dakar

The Women Leaders Network for Development (RFLD) convened over 40 prominent human rights advocates, African Union representatives, civil society actors, government officials, and media in Dakar for a three-day regional consultation focused on enhancing protection and advocacy capacities for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) across Africa. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by GIZ, this historic gathering emphasizes gender-sensitive reforms and collaboration within Africa’s human rights framework. Leveraging its Observer Status at the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and engagement in the ACHPR Working Group on HRDs, RFLD, through the SEA-T program, promotes African-led social transformation by empowering local partners with financial, technical, and advocacy support to address shrinking civic space and rising threats to HRDs sustainably.