Action learning in the State of African Women campaign
- Countries
- Africa (Continental)
- Status
- Completed
- Duration
- 2018 – 2021
- Funder
- European Union
The main objective of the State of African Women (SoAW) campaign is to contribute to securing, realizing and extending women’s rights enshrined in African Union (AU) policies. The campaign seeks to influence change in both legal and social norms for women and girls’ rights in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), at the continental, regional, national and sub-national levels, through a stronger voice and the meaningful participation of civil society in decision-making.
Tracking the learning trajectory
The SoAW campaign is led by a diverse consortium of partners. This unique coalition brought together youth-serving organizations, faith organizations, feminist groups and SRHR activists joined to shape the SoAW campaign at the global, regional, national and local level. Between 2018 and 2020 KIT facilitated the action learning trajectory with the SoAW partners.
The aims of the trajectory were threefold:
1. To build the capacities of consortium partners, CSOs and champions to critically interrogate their advocacy actions, and reflect on achievements and challenges
2. To recalibrate advocacy activities
3. And, to document experiences and lessons learned from the advocacy initiatives.
The action learning trajectory invited and supported the participating partners and their champions to shift from activity mode to documenting their work. It also sought to shift their attention from donor reporting, to reflection and learning.
The six case studies and two synthesis briefs (see publications below) are the outcomes of the ‘action learning trajectory’. They were prepared by the partners of the coalition: IPPF Africa Region, YWCA Kenya, Faith to Action Network and OAFLAD, and each one reflects on a specific piece of advocacy work carried out under the campaign.
The case studies form the basis of two synthesis briefs: one on ‘Progressing on the unfinished business’, and another on ‘Coalition-building and multilevel connections’. Both briefs aim to draw out strategies and joint learning across the diverse advocacy processes that are displayed in the case studies.
These reports follow in the footsteps of the State of African Women Report led by a research team at KIT and published in 2018.
Publications
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State of African Women – Action learning case studies and synthesis briefs
Compilation of Case Studies and Synthesis Briefs This report presents a collection of six case studies and two synthesis briefs that are the outcomes of the ‘action learning trajectory’ of the SoAW campaign. The case studies are prepared by the partners of the coalition: IPPF Africa Region, YWCA Kenya, Faith to Action Network and OAFLAD. Each case study […]
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Faith leadership in civil society collaboration towards adoption of the East African Community SRHR Bill
Case Study For several years, the faith community has intensively worked with other civil society members in the East African region to advocate for and mobilise support for the SRHR Bill of the East Africa Community. Faith to Action Network facilitated faith leadership and faith community interactions with the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), in […]
Downloads
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Institutional change towards the integration of population and development issues in the All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC)
Case Study Churches can no longer ignore the growing challenges caused by unsustainable population growth on the continent. Unless the church starts addressing the issue of population and development urgently and adequately, it will not be able to offer transformative guidance to its followers on the continent. This case study presents the way in which the […]
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The value of civil society alliances in realising women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights
Case Study Partnership is a cornerstone in achieving civil society goals and impact. Mobilising the right and complementary partners results in better use of resources, harnessing of expertise, increased confidence and more progress towards ensuring that women and girls can realize their sexual and reproductive health and rights, amongst others by accessing information, health and services. This […]
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YWCA advocacy towards the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya
Case Study This case illustrates the complex interlinkages between child marriage, early pregnancy, female genital mutilation (FGM) and the underlying gender inequality that contributes to sustaining harmful practices and women and girls’ exposure to poor health, discrimination, social stigma, and exclusion.
Downloads
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Journalists networked across Africa for increased SRHR coverage in the media
Case Study Armed with the barrel of the pen, journalists can change the world! This has been proven true for a vibrant network of journalists from across the continent who passionately report on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues. After years of engagement with these journalists, the coverage of SRHR issues continues to […]
Downloads
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How African First Ladies spearheaded the successful launch of a continent-wide campaign to prevent HIV and AIDS in childhood
Case Study Launched in 2018, the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and the African Union co-lead a continental campaign to end new HIV infections in children and to keep mothers alive, called Free to Shine Campaign. This case study describes the process of advocacy and concerted effort that lead to the development […]
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Progressing on the unfinished business: women and girls’ rights in SRHR (Synthesis Brief)
Synthesis Brief The main objective of the State of African Women (SoAW) campaign is to contribute to securing, realizing and extending women’s rights enshrined in African Union (AU) policies in African countries. This synthesis brief reflects on the strategies pursued by this campaign to safeguard gains made and to advance progress in women and girls’ rights in […]
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Coalition-building and multi level connections (Synthesis Brief)
Synthesis Brief The main objective of the State of African Women (SoAW) campaign is to contribute to securing, realizing and extending women’s rights enshrined in African Union (AU) policies in African countries. This second synthesis brief (read the first one here) reflects on the strategies pursued by this campaign to advance women and girls’ rights through […]
Other resources
Read the Introduction to the State of African Women report factsheet.
Rights vs. Reality: Gender-based violence against women factsheet.
Rights vs. Reality: HIV factsheet.
Rights vs. Reality: Harmful Practices factsheet.
Rights vs. Reality: Sexual & Reproductive Health factsheet