Why
The rights of women and girls in all their diversity are under threat, in Africa and around the world. From attacks on reproductive rights to growing violence and discrimination based on gender and sexuality, the fragile gains made since the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing thirty years ago threaten to be rolled back. Now, more than ever before, we as African women need to raise our voices, in the spirit of the
African Women in Dialogue gathering in January 2025 to proclaim that: “we are the ones we have been waiting for!” This is especially important for the new generation of feminist leaders now called on not just to hold the line but push it forward. We also aim through this initiative to grow a strong team of bloggers and story tellers, committed to amplifying the challenges and triumphs
What
As part of its
#PushForward4Equality campaign,
Gender Links is calling for bold, creative, and thought-provoking stories that shine a light
on resisting backlash in Africa. Read out
concept note, and more about the campaign,
here.
These include stories about:
- How individuals and communities keep pushing forward to protect their rights, lives and livelihoods.
- Actionable tips from activists.
- Strategies and tactics that have worked at community and country level.
- Experiences and voices about organising and action to #PushForward4Equality
- Lived experiences spotlighting leadership and resilience from women, girls, LGBTQI+ people and marginalised communities,
- Advocacy and protesting to hold leaders accountable and push for policy change.
- Resistance from alliances and regional feminist organising to everyday actions.
- New strategies being employed to dismantle patriarchy.
Who
We’re seeking writers, activists, and thinkers to share articles and blogs that explore the current events and their significance to women and girls rights. This call gives priority to members of the
Southern Africa Gender Protocol Alliance; the
Marang Fund,
Women Voice and Leadership (Southern Africa) and Africa fellows of the
Women of the South Speak Out (WOSSO) initiative.
Where the articles will be published
The articles will be published on
GL website, with links to your website and social media. You are welcome to republish the articles. We will use the articles to prepare one summative paper on countering backlash in Africa, as well as a practice handbook on strategies and tactics for doing so. This will be launched at our annual summit in March 2026. We invite you to join hands with us in a collective raising of our voices!
How
Attached here please find some
notes on what makes for a good blog, and the format these should take. You will also find here links to some powerful recent blogs on resistance and pushing forward. Please note that you will need to attach this
editorial sign off sheet to the blog submitted. We are deeply committed to amplifying authentic voices, lived experiences, and bold feminist stories as an essential part of the #PushForward4Equality campaign. While we recognise that Ai can be a powerful tool to support and strengthen our work,
we do not accept Ai-generated stories, photos or images. We are seeking thoughtful and authentic ideas, perspectives, and approaches that reflect real experiences, critical analysis, and unique creative voices.
The process has four parts.
- Complete the first part of the form to pitch your blog idea to the regional team (200-word pitch).
- You will receive a response, either accepting or rejecting the pitch, along with an explanation and/or suggestions.
- If accepted, you should compile the blog within two weeks of approval and upload it to the link you will receive. Here, you can upload high-resolution photos, radio and video clips. Articles should be between 800 and 1200 words). Please include the editorial sign-off sheet, which can be found HERE.
- Once the blog has been accepted for publication, GL will make a payment of $50 and confirm that it has been done.