By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), in partnership with Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, has called for policy reforms to promote gender equality and strengthen feminist leadership in West Africa.

Speaking at the close-out session of a five-day intergenerational mentorship and coaching program for young feminist leaders, on Friday in Abuja, Head of Policy, Influence, and Advocacy at WACSI and Country Lead for Nigeria, Omolara Balogun, emphasized the need to bridge the gap between older and younger feminists.

According to her, the mentorship program, which began in November 2024, brought together ten mentees from Ghana, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo, along with five mentors from the same countries.

Balogun said, “This initiative started three years ago to address challenges within the feminist movement and strengthen solidarity between different generations. Our goal is to create a system where older feminists can pass on knowledge and experiences while younger feminists share new strategies, such as using social media to advance the movement.

“The focus areas included understanding feminism, feminist principles, leadership, ethics, and strategies for deconstructing patriarchy. Many of the mentees run young organizations, so they also learned about organizational development, resource mobilization, and corporate governance,” she added.

Balogun stressed that feminism is not about antagonizing men but ensuring equal opportunities for both genders.

“A feminist is someone who recognizes the rights of women just as they do for men. If a man can drive, a woman should be able to. If a man can be president, so can a woman. Feminism is about creating systems and policies that ensure gender equality,” she stated.

She also noted that Nigeria and many African societies remain highly patriarchal, making it difficult for women to access leadership and decision-making roles.

“Many cultures still limit women’s education, economic opportunities, and political participation. Through this program, young feminists are now better equipped to challenge these barriers and advocate for gender-inclusive policies,” she said.

She also expressed optimism about the return of five gender-related bills to the National Assembly, urging lawmakers to ensure their passage.

“Any nation that ignores over 50% of its population is at a loss. Women make up about 53% of Nigeria’s population. Passing these bills will promote justice, equality, and national development,” she concluded.

Balogun commended the support of the Ford Foundation and the Open Society Foundations, which funded the mentorship program.

The Executive Director of Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Bunmi Dipo-Salami, emphasized that feminism is fundamentally about social justice and equity, not a battle against men.

Dipo-Salami further noted that many African cultures remain deeply patriarchal, limiting women’s access to leadership and decision-making roles.

“Feminism is one of the most misunderstood concepts because people often misinterpret it. It is about fairness and equal opportunities for women and men. If we all embrace feminism, we will create a more just and equitable society.

“In Nigeria, 14 state houses of assembly have no female representatives. Women are also the poorest of the poor in economic terms, and their needs are often overlooked in healthcare and education. These structural inequalities must be addressed through policy reforms.

“We are looking forward to seeing stronger feminist organizations led by young women who understand their rights and can help others navigate societal challenges,” Dipo-Salami said.

The Founder and Executive Director of Project Alert on Violence Against Women, Josephine Fachukuma, described the program as an enriching experience.

Josephine who served as a mentor added that beyond theoretical discussions, the mentees learned practical skills such as advocacy strategies, running organizations, and leveraging social media for activism.

“For me, it has been a very interesting journey because I see the younger version of myself in these mentees. The passion, the zeal, and the commitment they bring are inspiring. As older feminists, we must hold their hands, guide them, and pass on the baton, just as those before us did,” Fachukuma stated.