Women Radio 91.7 Premieres Documentary at CSW in New York, Spotlighting African Feminist Progress and Challenges

Rose Yusuf Kaisar

New York, March 13, 2025 – Women Radio 91.7 FM made a powerful impact at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York with the premiere of its documentary, Beijing +30: Voices of Change, Stories of Progress. The event, held on March 11, was followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion titled Reimagining African Feminist Solidarity: Pushing Intersectionality and Intergenerational Agendas Post B+30*. Organized by the Women’s Advocacy Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in collaboration with Women Radio, Above Whispers, and the Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), the panel brought together women leaders from across Africa to discuss the state of feminist advocacy, persistent challenges, and actionable solutions. 

The documentary and panel underscored the progress made since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted 30 years ago, while highlighting the urgent need for continued efforts to address gender inequality and systemic barriers across the continent. 

The panel featured powerful testimonies from feminist leaders across the continent, each shedding light on the unique challenges faced by women in their respective countries

Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, former First Lady of Ekiti State and founder of Above Whispers, set the tone with her opening remarks. Reflecting on her feminist journey, she emphasized the role of the African Women’s Digitisation Institute in empowering young women. While acknowledging strides in legal reforms and political participation, she stressed that gender inequalities remain pervasive, particularly in Nigeria. “Feminism is a global struggle against patriarchal oppression,” she declared, urging collective action to dismantle systemic barriers. 

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Anny T. Modi painted a grim picture of the DRC, where women continue to endure violence amid ongoing conflict. Despite the historic appointment of the country’s first female Prime Minister, women remain excluded from peace processes, and feminist leaders are often marginalized. Modi called for the establishment of a Country Feminist Forum to empower women and foster greater solidarity across Africa. 

Zimbabwe Edinah Masiyiwa, Executive Director of the Women’s Action Group, highlighted Zimbabwe’s robust legal framework for gender equality, including progressive inheritance laws and a minimum age of sexual consent set at 18. However, she noted that implementation remains a significant challenge. Maternal mortality, gender-based violence, and patriarchal norms continue to hinder progress. The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe is working tirelessly to enforce policies and drive systemic change. 

Dora Kiconco-Musinguzi Senior Technical Advisor at Raising Voices,Uganda & Kenya shared alarming statistics on femicide in Kenya, where 500 women were killed in 2023 alone, many by intimate partners. In Uganda, harmful laws, including the anti-homosexuality law, further endanger women’s lives. Kiconco-Musinguzi called for stronger legal enforcement and cross-border solidarity to combat gender-based violence. 

Sudan Hale Al-Karib Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for the Law of Africa spoke passionately about the devastating impact of war on Sudanese women. Sexual violence is being weaponized, and the once-vibrant women’s movement is under attack. Al-Karib urged the international community to support grassroots efforts, amplify Sudanese voices, and hold global leaders accountable for action. 

Nigeria Emmanuella Azu of WARDC addressed the evolving landscape of feminism in Nigeria, where younger activists are leveraging digital platforms for advocacy while older feminists struggle to navigate online spaces. She highlighted setbacks in education, weak law enforcement, and the rise of technology-facilitated violence. Azu called for bridging generational gaps, strengthening online activism, and ensuring the full implementation of protective laws. 

The discussions at CSW underscored the urgent need for stronger legal enforcement and policy implementation, increased political representation, and decision-making power for women. Greater funding for feminist movements. Cross-border solidarity to amplify women’s voices and protect activists. 

Women Radio 91.7 remains steadfast in its commitment to driving change for women across Africa. Through initiatives like Beijing +30: Voices of Change, Stories of Progress, the station continues to amplify critical conversations and advocate for gender equality. 

For more information, visit Women Radio 91.7 FM or follow their coverage on social media @wfm917