Women Empowerment Project
Focus ProjectsGet Involved

Mission

The Africa Faith and Justice Network’s Women Empowerment Project aims at assisting African Women religious in shaping a new vision of their role in society by working to change the structures that keep people in poverty and deprive them of their dignity as God’s children. The project builds and strengthens a coalition of African Women Religious at the local, regional, and continental levels to work for social justice and bring about needed change.

Women Empowerment Video Playlist

In several countries, our partners, sisters and youth who have participated and benefited from our advocacy skills trainings workshops, have created testimonial videos about what this project and our mentorship means to them. Several of the videos are included in the below playlist. The playlist also includes videos produced by the youth who have worked with the sisters on educational and advocacy campaigns addressing issues that impact them such as increased instances of youth violence ahead of elections.

Focus Countries

 

As of 2022, AFJN’s Women’s Empowerment Project has partnered with women religious in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. The project focuses on educating the local people about the realities of the social injustices facing them, grounding them in Catholic social teaching, and empowering them with the skills and tools needed to advocate for structural change. Some of the key theme are land grabbing, domestic and gender based violence, child labor, human trafficking, domestic servitude, the impact of the COVID pandemic on girls education, transparency and accountability, etc.

Latest News

  • Catholic Task Force on Africa – International Women’s Day: Advocating for Women’s Dignity and Rights in Africa Statement 8 Mar, 2025 - Today, the Catholic Task Force on Africa (CTFA), a group of organizations and individuals collaborating on just US-Africa relations centered on Catholic social thought, issued the following statement in recognition of International Women’s Day. Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a global occasion that honors the achievements of women in social, economic, cultural, and political fields. The CTFA urgently calls for the support and uplifting of women across Africa. CTFA, as an organization committed to justice and equality, stands in solidarity with African women calling for meaningful action to support policies that uplift and protect them.
  • Press Release: AFJN Endorses the International Women’s Day Statement on Women and AI 8 Mar, 2025 - Today, the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) was one of over 100 civil society organizations that endorsed the “International Women’s Day 2025: Statement Prepared by Soroptimist International and the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO)” that highlights the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) to women and girls.
  • Event: Navigating the Future of US-Africa Relations: Opportunities and Challenges in a Shifting Landscape 6 Mar, 2025 - The recent shift in US policies towards Africa has raised concerns about the future of US-Africa relations, leaving vital programs uncertain. Despite this challenge, some experts see this ‘America First’ shift as an opportunity for African nations to accelerate economic self-sufficiency by transitioning beyond aid as evidenced in the Sahel and other regions of Africa.
  • AFJN eBulletin | December 2024 31 Dec, 2024 - Read the AFJN eBulletin | December 2023
  • In the News: AFJN featured in National Catholic Reporter 24 Dec, 2024 - On December 23, 2024 Sr. Eucharia Madueke, SNDdeN was one of several religious quoted in Chris Herlinger's "In a strife-filled world, sisters find hope in Advent" article featured in National Catholic Reporter.
  • In the News: Sr. Eucharia featured in Global Sisters Report 5 Nov, 2024 - On November 4, Sr. Eucharia Madueke, SNDdeN, Africa Faith and Justice Network Women Empowerment Coordinator, was one of several religious quoted in Chris Herlinger, Doreen Ajiambo, and Rhina Guidos' article "For sisters outside the US, the 'stakes are high' in 2024 election" featured Global Sisters Report.
  • In the News: AFJN featured in Global Sisters Report 11 Oct, 2024 - On October 10, AFJN was featured in Doreen Ajiambo and Chris Herlinger's "ASEC uplifts 'entire communities' in Africa in 25 years of educating sisters" article in Global Sisters Report.
  • AFJN Executive Director Addresses High-Level UN-ECOSOC Segment on the Land Grabbing in Africa 31 Jul, 2024 - On July 17, 2024, Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers, Executive Director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), had the privilege of addressing the ministerial plenary at the 2024 United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) High-Level Segment in New York. The theme of the general debate was "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: delivering sustainable, resilient, and innovative solutions."
  • Dr. Rogers Quoted in La Croix International 17 Jul, 2024 - On July 16, Dr. Rogers was quoted in Mark Pattison’s article “US bishops announce staff cuts targeting anti-poverty program” in La Croix International. To read the full article click here: https://international.la-croix.com/religion/us-bishops-announce-staff-cuts-targeting-anti-poverty-program
  • Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2024 Spring Summit 1 May, 2024 - Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2024 Spring Summit "Faith in Action: Advancing Human Rights and Peace for All" an in-person event.

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