From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The highly anticipated African Women in Dialogue (AfWID) meeting, will bring together over 1,000 women from across the continent from January 27 to 31, 2025, Johannesburg South Africa.
This gathering coincides with the upcoming Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA) established at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995.
The AfWID initiative aims to create a platform for African women to voice their concerns and discuss pressing issues affecting their communities. Participants will include a diverse group of women across various age groups, including those who attended the original Beijing conference—referred to as “Beijing Veterans.” This intergenerational dialogue will allow for a rich exchange of experiences and insights regarding the progress made since 1995.
Mama Zanele Mbeki, a prominent advocate for women’s rights and the visionary behind AfWID, emphasized the need for marginalised women to have a voice in discussions that impact their lives. “Every woman, regardless of her background, has something valuable to contribute,” Mbeki stated. Her commitment to empowering women has been instrumental in shaping this initiative.
During the week-long dialogue, participants will review critical areas of concern identified in the BPFA, highlighting both achievements and ongoing challenges faced by African women. Discussions will focus on strategies for overcoming barriers to advancement and fostering positive change.
The event is convened by the Women’s Development Business Trust (WDB Trust), an organization founded in 1991 with a mission to empower women and rural communities.
Nigeria will be represented by a delegation of 16 participants, led by Dr. Chinyere Chukwudebelu, a member of the AfWID 2025 Steering Committee and Regional Leader for Anglophone and Lusophone West Africa.
The Nigerian attendees are particularly excited about the opportunity to engage with their counterparts from across Africa and to contribute their voices to this monumental meeting.
Participants aged 18 to 40 are especially enthusiastic about interacting with seasoned activists and leaders who attended the Beijing conference. They look forward to meaningful discussions centered around the twelve critical areas of concern outlined in the BPFA, as well as networking opportunities that could lead to lasting partnerships.