When people struggle together, what was once unimaginable suddenly becomes possible.

(AWID Forum 2008, The Power of Movements).

Our strategic focus on movement building seeks to bring social change by mobilising young women as synergists to defend  women's rights.It aims to bring together voices of young women as feminists, human rights defenders, activists and advocates in strategizing for women's rights. The program offers spaces for young women to network, celebrate and learn in ways that acknowledge African women's agency.

Recognizing the need to build multi-generational movements that acknowledge diversity as strength; it seeks to amplify the voices of young women so that their visions and experiences are recognized in feminist discourse, analysis ad activism. Thus, it is not just about numbers but also addressing the challenges young women face so as to effectively advance human rights and social justice.

It seeks to popularise feminist principles as articulated in the Charter of Feminist Principles for African Feminists. The program mobilizes young women to participate in different activities and advocacy initiatives aimed at advancing the rights of women through training and leadership development. The goal of this program is to strengthen the capacities of young women and assist them develop means to work both individually and collectively to achieve the goals of advancement of women's rights and gender equality.

YWLI Network

The YWLI Network is an essential part of movement building. It is open to young women from different regions in Africa. The YWLI network is a safe space for young women to interact, network, coach and mentor one another through different forums, as well as strategize to influence policies and practices. The space offers safety for young women to articulate matters that are otherwise considered too sensitive to speak about in other spaces.

The network engages members using new media:

1. Online interactive forum where members from different regions communicate online and share views on issues affecting women, youth and their communities. The online discussions also feature issues based on country-specific topics.   
2. Information Sharing - YWLI uses internet to circulate useful tools and resources for young women. This also includes job opportunities, scholarships and other opportunities for participation in public processes.  Members also access other resource materials at the YWLI resource centre based at the secretariat as well as contribute materials to the resource centre. YWLI offers space through a journal- Feminist Voices - a bi-annual bulletin that provides analysis, views and visions of young women on different social justice concerns.
3. Young women's open forums - Open forums are organised twice a year for celebration, networking and learning purposes. YWLI organises forums for young women to hone their skills and articulate their visions on women's rights.

Membership to the network is FREE for as long as one is committed to advancing the rights of women. One can also join as a mentor or coach and does not necessarily have to be of the 18 to 35 years age bracket. If you are interested in being part of this network, click this link to join.