Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS)

- Advocacy: FAS believes that the politics of exclusion adds to the multiple factors which cause conflict and political instability on the African continent. However, by giving recognition and visibility to women and their work this inequality can redressed. In order to ensure that women's interests are articulated and represented, FAS lobbies at the sub-regional, regional, international and institutional levels. Its aim is to ensure that policy-making bodies at all levels implement policies which encourage gender mainstreaming and adopt the principle of gender parity.

- Peace and Solidarity Missions: FAS organizes peace missions to share experiences and evaluate the role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in conflict-torn regions. FAS has conducted peace missions in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Burundi, and DRC.

- Capacity Building: FAS conducts training workshops specifically adapted to address the needs of grassroots women in the areas of reconciliation, civic education, conflict resolution, negotiation and leadership. In addition, FAS develops advocacy platforms and favours the creation of new local African networks and partners in these different program areas.

- Promotion of Democracy: FAS conducts workshops and training sessions in civic education as a means of promoting the participation of women in democratization processes. Further, FAS has monitored a number of elections, for example in Liberia, to evaluate and report on the participation of women and whether processes were conducted democratically.

- Justice for Women - Justice for Humanity: FAS is committed to the pursuit of justice against perpetrators of war crimes and violators of women's human rights. In keeping with this commitment, FAS develops and advocates for measures to ensure that national and international legislation in Africa protects women's rights, and recognizes the link between justice for victims and lasting peace in communities. As part of this work, FAS participated in the planning and implementation of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which includes a clause to address the 'culture of impunity' and instil mechanisms for justice.

FAS is an international women's organisation with the ECOSOC Consultative Status working to empower African women to assume a leadership role in peace building, and conflict resolution. FAS programmes operate mainly in war-torn countries such as the Mano River and the Great Lakes regions. Additionally in Darfur, Sudan. FAS also works closely with African sub-regional and regional organs such as ECOWAS and the African Union to ensure greater involvement of women in decision-making processes for peace and development.

Vision: To engender the peace process for the attainment of durable peace and human security in Africa. Mission; To promote and reinforce the critical role of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Africa; To advocate for increased attention for the concerns of African women on issues of peace and security at the national, regional and international levels; To strengthen the leadership capacities of grassroots women for more effective participation in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and decision-making; To strengthen women's influence on political processes and promote gender mainstreaming in peace and security programs at the national regional and international level.

Engendering the Peace Process in conflict and post- conflict countries

  • Civil Society
  • Community Conflict Resolution
  • Gender
  • Human Rights
  • Local Governance
  • Security Sector Governance

Gender
After ten years of extensive experience in the field of gender, peace and security, FAS has earned a reputation as an active player, working as an interface organization which seeks to link African women's grassroots organizations with international bodies. FAS is able to achieve this through its access to high level AU representatives and institutions, such as the AU Commission, as well as grassroots women's networks. The location of its three offices in Geneva, New York and Dakar allows FAS to participate in a wide range of activities at the international, regional and national levels.
Between 50.000 to 1 million CHF per annum
  • Advocacy
  • Capacity and development training
  • Policy advice
Description of activities
Justice for gender-based violence Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) is committed to the pursuit of justice against perpetrators of war crimes and violators of women's human rights. In keeping with this commitment, FAS develops and advocates for measures to ensure that national and international legislation in Africa protects women's rights. It also recognizes the link between justice for victims and lasting peace in communities. As part of this work, FAS participated in the drafting and implementation of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which includes a clause to address the culture of impunity and aims to establish mechanisms for justice. / International level - Human Rights Council Regional level - FAS has Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Other: Frontline actions Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) has learned from its extensive experience in Africa that women's potential contribution to durable peace has yet to be fully recognized. The proportion of women involved in negotiations for the prevention or resolution of conflict is extremely low, even though women play a significant role in the reconstruction and transformation of war-torn areas. FAS works to support women and women's groups throughout the whole peace process, ensuring that they are involved at every level so that their needs and priorities are taken into consideration. / Its work focuses for the most part in the Mano River region (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and the Great Lakes region (Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda)as well as the Horn of Africa.
Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) conducts training workshops specifically adapted to the needs of grassroots women in the areas of reconciliation, civic education, conflict resolution, negotiation and leadership. In addition, FAS develops advocacy platforms and favours the creation of new local African networks and partnerships in these different programme areas. The PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development was established by FAS in 2005 as one of the Centres of Excellence in Africa which will focus on capacity building in the region. It will provide advanced training and research in peacebuilding and development issues, with an emphasis on gender. / Africa
FAS has Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC); Association Status with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI); and membership to the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (ECOSOCC). It chairs the Committee on the Status of Women’s Working Group for Peace in Geneva - an organ of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Status with the United Nations (CONGO). Further, FAS is a member of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security in New York and is also a member of the Gender Task Force of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The Executive Director of FAS is a member and Vice Chairperson of the African Union Women’s Committee (AUWC), an advisory body to the Chairperson of the AU Commission on gender issues; international advisor to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); and a member of the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF). / International level as well as African region.
Justice for gender-based violence Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) is committed to the pursuit of justice against perpetrators of war crimes and violators of women's human rights. In keeping with this commitment, FAS develops and advocates for measures to ensure that national and international legislation in Africa protects women's rights. It also recognizes the link between justice for victims and lasting peace in communities. As part of this work, FAS participated in the drafting and implementation of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, which includes a clause to address the culture of impunity and aims to establish mechanisms for justice. / International level - Human Rights Council Regional level - FAS has Observer Status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) Other: Frontline actions Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS) has learned from its extensive experience in Africa that women's potential contribution to durable peace has yet to be fully recognized. The proportion of women involved in negotiations for the prevention or resolution of conflict is extremely low, even though women play a significant role in the reconstruction and transformation of war-torn areas. FAS works to support women and women's groups throughout the whole peace process, ensuring that they are involved at every level so that their needs and priorities are taken into consideration. / Its work focuses for the most part in the Mano River region (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) and the Great Lakes region (Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda)as well as the Horn of Africa.

Human Rights
FAS recognizes the link between justice for victims and lasting peace in communities and as such brings the plight of women in the affected regions to the attention of the international community.
Other
  • Advocacy
  • Capacity and development training
Description of activities
FAS organizes training workshops, in partnership with grassroots women's organizations, to promote knowledge of international and regional instruments which protect women's rights. FAS'PanAfrican Centre for Gender, Peace and Development also organizes short courses on topics such as 'Gender and Conflict: Human Rights and Transitional Justice' / International level and African continent.

Civil Society
FAS coordinates the Gender is my Agenda Campaign because of its extensive experience of working on the issues of gender, peace and security - which is a male dominated, military based, sector.
Other
    Description of activities
    Coordination: FAS coordinates the Gender is my Agenda Campaign, which was officially launched at the Banjul conference in June 2006. The campaign is a network of more than fifty women's organizations whose aim is to disseminate the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa to a wider audience, while monitoring, evaluating and reporting on its implementation. The campaign aims to: - monitor and evaluate the implementation of the thematic points of the Solemn Declaration; - mobilize and strengthen the capacities of women to contribute to decision-making processes for peace and development; - ensure gender equality in the design and implementation of African programmes such as those of the AU and NEPAD, via gender balance and gender mainstreaming. / Africa
    Coordination: FAS coordinates the Gender is my Agenda Campaign, which was officially launched at the Banjul conference in June 2006. The campaign is a network of more than fifty women's organizations whose aim is to disseminate the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa to a wider audience, while monitoring, evaluating and reporting on its implementation. The campaign aims to: - monitor and evaluate the implementation of the thematic points of the Solemn Declaration; - mobilize and strengthen the capacities of women to contribute to decision-making processes for peace and development; - ensure gender equality in the design and implementation of African programmes such as those of the AU and NEPAD, via gender balance and gender mainstreaming. / Africa
    • Americas
      • North America
        • United States of America
    • Africa
      • Central Africa
        • Democratic Republic of the Congo
      • Eastern Africa
        • Sudan
        • Somalia
        • Rwanda
        • Burundi
      • Western Africa
        • Sierra Leone
        • Senegal
        • Liberia
        • Guinea

    Burundi

    Sectors of activity: 
    Civil Society
    Gender
    Types of activity: 
    Direct project implementation
    Capacity and development training
    Research and policy development
    Description: 

    FAS is actively helping with the elaboration of National Action Plans for the implementation of UNSCR 1325, in partnership with civil society organizations in Burundi.

    FAS has organized training workshops and continues to provide training for women's networks in Burundi, including CAFOB FAS organizes training workshops for civil society organizations working in the field of gender, peace and development.

    FAS works with CAFOB to help women participate in peace and the democratization processes.

    Central African Republic

    Sectors of activity: 
    Civil Society
    Gender
    Types of activity: 
    Research and policy development
    Capacity and development training
    Advocacy
    Other
    Other: 
    Human rights advocacy and strengthening democratic processes

    Guinea Bissau

    Sectors of activity: 
    Civil Society
    Gender
    Types of activity: 
    Research and policy development
    Capacity and development training
    Advocacy
    Other
    Other: 
    Human rights advocacy and strengthening democratic processes
    Description: 

    FAS has organized numerous training workshops in Guinea Bissau, with networks such as MARWOPNET

    FAS supports the participation of women from grassroots organizations, such as MARWOPNET Guinea Bissau , in sessions of the Human Rights Council to highlight the need for justice for victims of sexual violence.

    FAS has held several panels parallel to the Human Rights Council, where representatives from grassroots women's organizations have discussed their first hand experiences relating to their human rights situation.

    FAS participates in and coordinates the Board meetings of MARWOPNET which oversee the development of future strategies and policies for the network.

    Sierra Leone

    Sectors of activity: 
    Human Rights
    Civil Society
    Gender
    Types of activity: 
    Research and policy development
    Capacity and development training
    Advocacy
    Description: 

    FAS has organized numerous training workshops in Sierra Leone, with networks such as MARWOPNET Sierra Leone

    FAS supports the participation of women from grassroots organizations, such as MARWOPNET Sierra Leone, in sessions of the Human Rights Council to highlight the need for justice for victims of sexual violence.

    FAS has held several panels parallel to the Human Rights Council, where representatives from grassroots women's organizations have discussed their first hand experiences relating to their human rights situation.

    FAS participates in and coordinates the Board meetings of MARWOPNET which oversee the development of future strategies and policies for the network.

    Femmes Africa Solidarité (FAS)
    International Secretariat
    Rue du Vieux Billard 8 P.O Box 5037
    Geneva 11 CH-1211
    See map: map.search.ch, Google Maps
    http://www.fasngo.org
    Non-governmental organisation
    More than 10 years
    Between 1 million to 50 million CHF per annum
    20
    International Secretariat
    Rue du Vieux Billard 8 P.O Box 5037
    Geneva 11 CH-1211
    See map: map.search.ch, Google Maps
    Headquarters

    The International Secretariat, based in Geneva, Switzerland, coordinates FAS's programmes and serves as a contact point for international organizations, NGOs and donor agencies. The Secretariat is based in Geneva to facilitate efforts in resource mobilization and maximize the visibility of African women's initiatives at the international level.

    10
    Ms
    Bineta Diop
    Mrs Bineta Diop
    Executive Director
    80

    Network

    Gender is my Agenda Campaign

    Type: 
    NGO

    MARWOPNET

    Type: 
    Formal
    Type: 
    NGO
    Description: 

    Mano River region - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone MARWOPNET works to implement and promote peace mechanisms in the sub-region, reconstruction and economic empowerment. MARWOPNET has become instrumental in mainstreaming gender issues in the agen Formal Mano River region - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone MARWOPNET works to implement and promote peace mechanisms in the sub-region, reconstruction and economic empowerment. MARWOPNET has become instrumental in mainstreaming gender issues in the agendas of the Mano River Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    Pro-Femmes

    Type: 
    NGO

    Collectif des Associations et ONGs Féminines du Burundi (CAFOB)

    Type: 
    Formal
    Type: 
    NGO
    Geographical scope: 
    Other
    Other: 
    Local (field), based in Burundi
    Description: 

    Burundi: CAFOB’s main objectives are to strengthen the operational capacities of member associations and to support the role of Burundian women in peace-building, national reconciliation and development. There were 7 associations when CAFOB start Formal Burundi CAFOB’s main objectives are to strengthen the operational capacities of member associations and to support the role of Burundian women in peace-building, national reconciliation and development. There were 7 associations when CAFOB started out, now there are 52.

    Cadre Permanent de Concertation des Femmes Congolaises

    Type: 
    Formal
    Geographical scope: 
    Other
    Other: 
    Local (field), based in Democratic Republic of Congo
    Description: 

    The group promoted women's issues during the elections in the DRC in 2006 and is now working to form a regional women's network in the Great Lakes region.

    Partnership

    Government of Finland

    Type: 
    Formal
    Description: 

    FAS has partnered with the Government of Finland to elaborate National Action Plans for the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in the Great Lakes region, over the next three years.

    Partner organisations: 
    Government

    NEPAD

    Description: 

    Although a government led organization, NEPAD is keen to promote the participation of CSOs in its policy development, particularly on the issue of gender and development.

    Partner organisations: 
    Governments

    OSIWA

    Type: 
    Formal
    Description: 

    OSIWA is dedicated to supporting the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation.

    Partner organisations: 
    Non-profit foundation

    Roll Back Malaria Partnership

    Partner organisations: 
    NGOs

    UNDF

    Description: 

    Working Group on Peace United Nations

    Partner organisations: 
    United Nations