XOESE, the Francophone Women’s Fund, opened its second International Francophone Forum on November 27, 2023 in Lomé. The theme of this major event, which took place from November 27 to 30, 2023, was “Building the Francophone Feminist Movement: where do we start?
The official launch of the forum took place in the grand hall of the Petit Brussel in the presence of several authorities and personalities from over 10 French-speaking countries, including Togo, the host of this second edition.
The forum was aimed at activists, researchers, journalists, artists, students and anyone interested in francophone feminism. Over 4 days, it offered plenary sessions, workshops, round tables, exhibitions, artistic performances and networking opportunities. Participants discussed topics such as: the feminist movement and the women’s movement, feminist taboos, financing the francophone feminist movement, violence against women, sexual and reproductive rights, feminist education, women’s leadership, women’s political participation, feminism and the media, feminism and culture, feminism and the environment, feminism and peace, etc.
Two main venues hosted this year’s forum: Le Petit Brussel, which was the main site for all the plenary sessions and some of the parallel sessions, and El Doria, which served as a secondary site for some of the parallel sessions.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony was presided over by Mrs Massan d’Almeida and the French Ambassador to Togo, Mr Augustin FAVEREAU. Following the opening ceremony, several hybrid sessions were held simultaneously and broadcast online.
Forum 2023 follows on from the first edition of the Forum, held in November 2021, which brought together over 1,500 participants from 56 countries around the world. The Forum provided an opportunity to take stock of the current state of Francophone feminism, share experiences and best practices, build capacities and skills, and create alliances and networks. Forum 2021 also led to the adoption of a Declaration of the Francophone Feminist Movement, expressing the demands and aspirations of Francophone women and girls.
The XOESE International Francophone Forum is a unique opportunity to meet, learn, share and mobilize with all those involved in Francophone feminism.
Let us note that XOESE is an organization that financially and technically supports the initiatives of French-speaking women and girls for the promotion of their rights and gender equality. Based in Lomé, Togo it was created in September 2015 by Ms. d’ALMEIDA Massan and has a mission to contribute to the emergence of a dynamic and influential Francophone feminist movement, by supporting Francophone women’s and girls’ organizations, particularly those who are the most marginalized and vulnerable.
