Officially launched on June 13, 2024, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the Movement of Women Human Rights Defenders of West Africa (MFDDH AO) is a program of the West African Network of Human Rights Defenders (ROADDH).
The MFDDH-AO is an ambitious regional initiative dedicated to the protection, recognition, and empowerment of women engaged in the defense of human rights.
The MFDDH-AO is an innovative program that aims to foster a participatory and inclusive environment for Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in the region. It is a subregional platform designed to amplify their voices, strengthen their resilience, and provide an urgent and sustainable response to their specific protection needs.
The Movement is founded on the values of non-discrimination and recognition of the diverse contexts in which local human rights defenders operate. Whether addressing local or regional issues, it seeks to facilitate their collaboration with human rights protection mechanisms, connect them with other similar networks, and promote their participation in regional and international forums.
Practical strategies for effective protection
The primary beneficiaries of this program are women human rights defenders in West Africa, who often work under difficult conditions to promote democracy, development, peace, and social justice.
To achieve its objectives, the Movement is implementing a series of targeted actions, including:
• Capacity building in physical and digital security;
• The establishment of an early warning and rapid response system;
• The provision of specific tools to mitigate risks;
• Advocacy with national and international authorities and institutions; and
• Supporting the empowerment of women human rights defenders in vulnerable situations.
• Beyond protection, the Movement aims to raise awareness of the fundamental role that women human rights defenders play in building a more just and equitable future for all. By supporting them, society as a whole gains in cohesion, resilience, and progress.
The launch of the Movement thus marks a decisive step in the fight for human rights in West Africa, placing women at the center of action and change.
As a reminder, MFDDH-AO is a program of the West African Network of Human Rights Defenders (ROADDH)
