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By Alinafe Likoya

 

Sometimes, it is easy to believe that our work is the most impactful, that our ideas are the most innovative, and that we are doing more than anyone else. Being part of the Feminist Movement Builders’ School (FMBS) organized by JASS and Feminist Centre for Racial Justice (FCRJ) in Kenya last year challenged this mindset. It was not just an opportunity to learn about those who came before us, but to deeply connect with their stories—our stories—and to interrogate the histories that shape our struggles as African feminists.

One of my biggest realizations was that our fights have never been fought in isolation. Solidarity and support systems are the backbone of feminist movement-building. It was empowering to reflect on those who have been in this fight before us, to envision where we want to go, and to consider the impact we want to leave for those who will come after us.

The Complexity of Belonging

At FMBS, I gained a new perspective on belonging—how fragile it can be, especially for African women. Shifts in our economies, political landscapes, and social structures can make us feel displaced in our own communities. This reality underscores the need to strengthen our movements and to center kindness and care as we navigate experiences of un-belonging. Intentional movement-building ensures that our struggles are not seen as individual missions but as collective efforts. When we organize as movements, our work cannot be erased.

Writing Ourselves Into History

A key takeaway for me was the importance of documenting our work. Too many stories of great African women have been erased, misrepresented, or told through narratives we do not control. This realization strengthened my commitment to amplifying the voices of African women and ensuring our contributions are recognized.

There is a common misconception that the feminist movement in Africa exists only because of Western influence. The reality is that African women have always fought for their rights, confronting gender-based violence, unpaid care work, the effects of climate change, female genital mutilation (FGM), unsafe abortion, and other oppressive systems. We do not need outsiders to define our struggles—we live them, we name them, and we fight them. That is why we contribute to the movement: to build collective power and shape our own narratives.

Strategizing for Resistance

As feminists in Africa, we must be strategic in how we fight, especially in the face of growing repression and retrogressive laws. FMBS was a space to analyze power—how it operates, how it shifts, and how we can navigate it in ways that sustain our movements. Reclaiming our identities was central to our conversations. We affirmed that being African women is not a monolithic experience; our identities are diverse, and embracing that diversity strengthens our resistance.

Building Sisterhood and Inclusive Movements

One of the most powerful aspects of FMBS was the intentionality behind creating a space for deep connection and learning. We explored the necessity of sisterhood and solidarity, acknowledging that while we may work on different issues, our broader goal is shared.

This also means opening up space for others—especially for women in rural areas who may not have access to digital tools but who resist in their own ways. We must reflect on how their knowledge can inform our work and ensure that movement-building strategies are shaped by their realities. 

Mentorship and intergenerational learning are crucial. Young women and girls should not be shut out of movement spaces; they should be actively included in shaping the future of feminist organizing. Their perspectives bring fresh insights that help us craft interventions suited to current realities.

A Space for Reflection, Action, and Transformation

The FMBS was a powerful platform for exchange, collaboration, and deep reflection. Throughout the school, we engaged in thought-provoking discussions about movement strategies across Africa—what has worked, what has not, and what we can learn from each other.

A highlight was our dialogue with Kenyan feminists, who shared insights into their movement’s history and evolution. Their stories reinforced the power of learning from one another and recognizing that feminist organizing does not exist in silos; it is interconnected across borders and histories.

As I look ahead, I am most excited about contributing to our action research project and witnessing the work my fellow participants will produce. More than anything, I am committed to ensuring that the knowledge and connections built at FMBS continue to grow. Because in the end, our movements are only as strong as the solidarities we forge and sustain.

We, African women, did that—and we will keep doing it.

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