5 badass feminist groups tearing down the ways of patriarchy in Africa

Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) – Uganda

AMwA (Swahili for “African women”) is now an international and Pan-African non-governmental organisation headquartered in Kampala, Uganda but started in 1985 in the United Kingdom by a small community organization for African women.

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AMwA describes itself as “training centre” and “advocacy engine” for the women’s movement in Africa. It hosts African Women’s Leadership Institutes (AWLI) designed by women leaders from Africa and for women activists aged 25-45 from across the continent. The institute focuses on themes such as gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive rights, anti-poverty efforts and peacebuilding.

In 2014, AMwA, with other women’s organisations, conducted a regional conference in Kampala on the theme “Strengthening African Women’s Voices in the Post-2015 Processes”. Other feminist organizations who support Akina Mama wa Afrika include the African Women’s Development Fund and the Sigrid Rausing Trust.