MIL Africa Engine

Source: APO

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In the heart of southern Malawi, a quiet revolution is unfolding. In villages once torn by land disputes, political tensions, and gender-based violence, women are stepping into roles traditionally reserved for men—mediators, advocates, and leaders in peacebuilding. Their efforts, supported by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) through UN Women, are transforming communities and challenging long-held norms.

From Silence to Leadership in Nsanje

In Nsanje’s Mbenje area, women’s movements like Chisomo, Yankho, and Tadala are rewriting the narrative. Trained in mediation and advocacy by the Youth Coalition for the Consolidation of Democracy (YCD), these women have become central figures in resolving conflicts and promoting peaceful elections.

During the tense lead-up to the 2025 primary elections, Tadala Women Movement convened a peace dialogue with representatives from six political parties. Their bold move helped avert violence and gave women a platform to advocate for their rights.

“We’re not just victims anymore—we’re problem-solvers,” says Stella Davie Maguza, chairperson of Yankho Women Movement. Their work has led to 17 Memoranda of Understanding with local chiefs, ensuring women’s inclusion in decision-making and conflict resolution.

Healing Divides in Machinga

In Machinga, a religious feud between two brothers—one a chief—was resolved not by traditional elders, but by women peacebuilders trained by Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO). Their approach, rooted in empathy and respect, restored harmony and turned the chief into a vocal supporter of women’s leadership.

Since December 2024, women in Machinga and Phalombe have resolved 42 conflicts, ranging from land disputes to child marriage cases. Over 896 women and girls have been empowered, with 11 now holding formal leadership roles.

“Even chiefs’ wives are influencing decisions,” notes Chief Sitola, one of the few female traditional leaders in the district.

The Power of Peace Circles

For Brenda Charly, a Peace Circle Facilitator in Machinga, peacebuilding is personal. Once dependent and uncertain, she now cultivates tomatoes and red maize, earning enough to pay her children’s school fees.

“This Peace Circle saved my life,” she says. “We uplift one another, share ideas, and grow together. I’m no longer just surviving—I’m building a future.”

UN Women, with support from Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), is supporting and enhancing the capacity of local women led and women’s rights organizations to prevent conflict, end sexual and gender-based violence, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities in Malawi. 

Brenda Charly is one of the facilitators advancing peace in her community. She was trained on peacebuilding by Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO), a local NGO, through the Sustaining community women movement for peace building and response to humanitarian response in Malawi Project.

“Together, we secured land to farm as a group, and now we support each other with the profits, whether it involves helping a woman who has suffered abuse reach the hospital or buying seeds for planting. Thanks to the circle, I got the seeds for my tomato farm, and this past season, I earned MK380,000 ($216) from selling my harvest. With that money, I paid school fees for my daughter in her final year of high school and put my youngest in private nursery school”, says Brenda. “We meet every week, and it’s more than just a group of women mediating for peace in our communities—it serves as a vital support system.”

Voices of Change: Ednah and Lezita

Ednah Zuze, a trained facilitator from Mizinga in Machinga, eastern of Malawi, has helped mediate dozens of disputes. Her group’s inclusive approach—welcoming people with disabilities and faith leaders—has earned community trust and shifted perceptions.

“Women need to take on these roles because we’re often the ones most affected by conflict,” Ednah says. “Now, people know we’re here, and that alone discourages disputes.”

Zuze is trained in prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence, leadership, peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and economic empowerment. She is one of 60 facilitators promoting the participation of women in conflict prevention responses with support from the Women, Peace and Humanitarian Fund through UN Women.

“My mission is to bring peace to my community”, says Zuze. “In our area, disputes are common, whether it’s marital problems, village arguments over land, leadership clashes, or money issues. These conflicts happen between husbands and wives, among chiefs, even between young people. Before, many believed only men could mediate these disputes, but our training showed me that women can-and should—step up too. The biggest lesson for me was realizing we shouldn’t underestimate ourselves. We have just as much power to bring peace”.

Since March 2025, 36-year-old Zuze and her group have reached and assisted 609 women, 200 men, and 91 young people. Sometimes they hold community dialogues, other times they collaborate with chiefs or join existing outreaches to spread awareness about peacebuilding. 

In Thyolo, 25-year-old Lezita Mukhiwa is breaking barriers as a councilor aspirant. A mentor with the Bvumbwe Girls Club, she’s challenging political exclusion and advocating for youth empowerment.

“Someone must step up. Why not me?” she asks, determined to bring clean water, better roads, and youth representation to her community.

“Last October, we learned how to be peacebuilders, learning how to mediate conflicts instead of being used as pawns during elections. Now, we teach and mentor other girls and women in our communities. We rally girls to stay in school despite the odds and encourage women who’ve endured abuse without knowing it was abuse to report to authorities when they are abused.”

A Blueprint for Peace

Malawi’s women are proving that peacebuilding is not just about ending conflict—it’s about transforming lives. Their courage, resilience, and leadership offer a powerful blueprint for communities across the globe.

“These women didn’t wait for outsiders to fix their problems,” says Francis Folley of YCD. “They became the change.”

As the world grapples with rising instability, Malawi’s story reminds us: when women lead, peace follows.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women – Africa.

Source: APO

The Guinean authorities must immediately guarantee the human rights of Soguipah workers and smallholder planters affiliated with the state-owned company, and investigate widespread abuses particularly regarding workers’ right to decent work, said Amnesty International in a new report.

‘Salaries that make you cry: abuses of workers’ rights linked to Soguipah’s activities in Guinea’ reveals how workers at the plantations and the factory of the Guinean Oil Palm and Rubber Tree Company (Société guinéenne de palmiers à huile et d’hévéas – Soguipah) in Diécké and its surroundings, in Nzérékoré region, were paid significantly below the national minimum wage and lacked adequate protective equipment. The report also documents how Soguipah bought rubber from smallholder planters affiliated with the company at below market prices.

“With the president promising since 2021 to make the exploitation of natural resources a lever for development and the improvement of living conditions, the authorities should act immediately to guarantee the human rights of these workers and planters, in conformity with the Guinean Labour Code, the new Constitution and their international human rights obligations,” said Marceau Sivieude, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

In 2024, the 100% state-owned Soguipah employed more than 4,000 people and had 6,801 affiliated planters, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.

Several Soguipah workers interviewed by Amnesty International were paid below the legal minimum wage of 550,000 Guinean franc (approximately 55 euro) per month. Among the pay slips of 30 people dated from 2022 to 2025 analysed by the organization, 29 had received a basic salary below the legal minimum wage. In September 2025, the lowest basic salary paid by Soguipah among 24 pay slips was 69,783 Guinean franc (approximately 7 euro) for 170 hours worked during the month.

“When you see some people’s payslips, it makes you want to cry… [The worker] will spend his life paying off his debts and taking on even more debt,” said one worker.

Many people interviewed struggle to meet their essential needs, including food, housing, schooling for their children and healthcare. This precarious situation is exacerbated by the Diécké area’s isolation, which causes higher prices for basic necessities, particularly during the rainy season when roads become impassable.

Workers also described difficult working conditions, with a lack of personal protective equipment despite regular exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, both on plantations and in the factory.

Amnesty International didn’t receive information from the company but in view of the continuity over time of the abuses of workers’ rights and Soguipah’s awareness of repeated claims from workers, the report concludes that the company has not effectively implemented its duty of vigilance. The Guinean authorities, for their part, failed in their obligations to ensure that these rights were respected by the company, even though they could not have been unaware of the abuses of workers’ rights.

Planters plunged into precariousness

Workers on family plantations and union representatives told Amnesty that they do not have access to the agreement and contract signed in the 1990s defining their contractual relationship with Soguipah. One of the representatives said: “I have never seen this agreement. Soguipah refuses to make it available to the communities.”  

These planters are presumably obliged to sell their produce exclusively to Soguipah, often below market prices. The company also deducts sums from these sales for assistance which it no longer provides in full. A union leader said: “Before, Soguipah deducted money from us because it maintained the tracks [..] and assisted planters with agricultural techniques. This is no longer done, but Soguipah continues to deduct money from us.”

In addition, dozens of families have had their land taken away by the state for the benefit of Soguipah without fair and equitable compensation. They now depend on low-yielding monocultures that have spread at the expense of local food crops. One woman said: “Soguipah took everything, there is nowhere left to farm, so we are forced to work for Soguipah.”

Abuses widely known but ignored by the authorities

Since 2019, Soguipah workers have held protests in Diécké and in the capital Conakry over their working conditions, and the planters’ unions issued several strike notices, most recently in January 2025.

However, instead of taking the necessary measures to guarantee their rights, the authorities  allowed a climate of fear and self-censorship to take hold. In 2024, a manager was allegedly dismissed for publicly denouncing the working conditions of female employees. Several people described a climate of fear fuelled by the threat of sanctions. One of them said: “If I write against Soguipah today on my Facebook page, tomorrow I will be punished. One of my friends has already been through this. He was almost sacked.”

“The transitional authorities must keep their repeated promises to protect the economic and social rights of everyone in the country, including the right to a fair and equitable wage, which is a prerequisite for a decent life,” said Fabien Offner, Senior Researcher at Amnesty International.

“They must guarantee the protection of the human rights of Soguipah workers and of those who depend on the company, in accordance with the country’s obligations under the Guinean Labour Code, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the nine fundamental instruments of the International Labour Organization ratified by Guinea.”

Background

This report is based on research conducted in 2024 and 2025, for which 90 people were interviewed. Its findings were sent on 3 October to the Guinean authorities and the Soguipah management to provide them with an opportunity to respond to our findings. At the time of publication, Amnesty International has not received a response to either.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.

Source: APO

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World Food Day (WFD) 2025 was celebrated across all 15 West African countries on Thursday, 16 October, under the theme “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.” The event marked the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and highlighted the importance of collective action for sustainable and inclusive food systems.

In Senegal, the celebration took place on the esplanade of Dakar’s Regional Express Train (TER) Grand Station, organized by FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock (MASAE). The event brought together government representatives, UN agencies, private sector actors, civil society organizations, academia, grassroots participants, project beneficiaries, and members of the public, all united around a common goal: to promote fairer, more resilient, and environmentally responsible food systems.

In her opening statement, Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, acting Subregional Coordinator of FAO for West Africa and Acting FAO Representative in Senegal, underlined the significance of this global commemoration in mobilizing solidarity around the right to food. “Every 16 October, in over 150 countries, millions of people come together around a universal cause: the right of every human being to adequate, safe, sustainable, and accessible food. This day reminds us that food is not a privilege – it is a fundamental human right,” she said.

Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya pointed out that the current imbalances between hunger, obesity, and food waste reflect a deeper crisis within agrifood systems. She stressed that this year’s theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” is not just a slogan but “a call for cooperation, collective action, and engagement that transcends borders and generations.” She also commended the historic collaboration between FAO and Senegal, dating back to 1977. “For nearly half a century, FAO has worked hand in hand with the Government of Senegal to build a world free from hunger, by supporting agricultural policies, national institutions, producers, and rural communities,” she emphasized.

Representing the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Ibrahima Diouck, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Livestock, praised FAO’s long-standing support to Senegal in its journey towards food sovereignty. “Food sovereignty is not the responsibility of a single ministry. It is a national project that requires the engagement of all: young people and women, whom we actively encourage to take part in agricultural entrepreneurship and value addition; development partners and donors, whose support is critical to accelerating our agricultural transformation; and every Senegalese citizen, by consuming local products and changing our eating habits,” he stated.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations system, Ms. Aminata Maïga, UN Resident Coordinator in Senegal, reaffirmed the collective commitment of UN agencies alongside the government and development partners. “The United Nations system in Senegal, through FAO, WFP, IFAD, UNDP, UNICEF and others, remains fully committed to working with the government and partners to strengthen local value chains, promote agroecology and farmer innovation, and support young and women entrepreneurs who are reinventing the way we feed the nation,” she said.

She also underscored the importance of promoting local products. “Today we celebrate our local foods – millet, fonio, cowpea, hibiscus, moringa, fish, and tropical fruits. These are not just commodities; they embody our identity, creativity, and resilience,” she affirmed. “Promoting these foods means defending our culture, our health, and our economy. It is also an ecological and patriotic act, because eating local protects our planet and strengthens our food independence. Together, we can transform our food systems and build a sovereign, sustainable, and prosperous future.”

The celebration continued with a public food exhibition and tasting of local dishes made from traditional Senegalese ingredients, showcasing the richness of the nation’s culinary heritage and the creativity of women food processors. Commuters on the TER train joined the FAO team in celebrating local products and sampling innovative recipes such as eggplant juice, moringa juice, and fonio-based dishes.

Similar events were held across the subregion, including in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Togo. These activities included exhibitions, workshops, conferences, radio broadcasts, and awareness campaigns on the themes of sustainable food systems, food security, and nutrition.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

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The Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal (CJRS) welcomed Ms. Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, Subregional Coordinator of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for West Africa and FAO Representative in Senegal, as part of the second edition of the initiative “Face aux reporters” held at the Babacar Touré Press House, on the 17 October2025.

This intergenerational meeting, held under the topic “Sustainable Food Security in Senegal: Role and Mission of the FAO,” brought together journalists, development practitioners, institutional representatives, and members of the civil society. The objective was to collectively reflect on practical solutions to strengthen food sovereignty, reduce malnutrition, and encourage sustainable and inclusive local production.

In her remarks, Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya commended the commitment of young journalists in raising awareness and disseminating reliable information on food-related issues. “The media, and particularly young reporters, play an essential role in informing, educating, and inspiring action in the face of challenges related to food security and sustainable development. Your voice is key to advancing the message of positive transformation in our agrifood systems,” she stated.

She reiterated that food sovereignty lies at the heart of Senegal’s flagship Vision 2050, which aims to ensure that every Senegalese can eat healthily and sufficiently. She further emphasized the importance of supporting smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of the food system, by improving their access to digital tools and training opportunities.

Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya outlined FAO’s main priorities for Senegal and the West African region, including the promotion of agroecology and sustainable agricultural practices, the strengthening of local value chains, the fight against malnutrition, and the empowerment of rural youth through programmes such as SAGA, FISH4ACP, SD3C, and SSA, as well as initiatives under the Great Green Wall, including SURAGGWA, PAREC-CC/GMV, PVA Resilience, and RIPOSTES.

Moving forward, FAO and CJRS expressed their shared desire to establish a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening communication in support of rural development and food security. The partnership will focus on enhancing journalists’ capacities in agricultural and environmental reporting, promoting the dissemination of good agricultural practices, encouraging inclusive media coverage particularly in rural areas, and supporting awareness campaigns in local languages.

Mr. Mamadou Diagne, President of CJRS, welcomed this promising collaboration, stating: “We appreciate FAO’s openness and vision. Too often, initiatives that promote agriculture, rural development, and local entrepreneurship go unnoticed. This partnership will enable us to highlight these efforts and bring information closer to citizens.”

 On her side, Ms. Stephen-Tchicaya emphasized the importance of collective action: “The agrifood system encompasses many sectors. No single institution can tackle this challenge alone. It is only through synergy and collaboration that we can build a sustainable food future.”

Founded in 2004, the Convention of Young Reporters of Senegal (CJRS) is a national organization dedicated to the training, structuring, and support of young journalists. It currently has more than 2,000 active members across the country. Committed to ethical, professional, and civic journalism, CJRS regularly organizes training sessions, competitions, regional forums, and advocacy initiatives to promote the value of journalism in Senegal.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) works globally to eradicate hunger, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. Present in more than 130 countries, FAO supports governments, communities, and local actors in transforming agrifood systems, protecting natural resources, and ensuring healthy and accessible food for all.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

Source: APO

The Africa Women Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) (www.AWIEForum.org) Conference and Exhibition event opens its doors next week, from 30 to 31 October 2025, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa.

AWIEF2025 will convene entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, corporate executives, and development partners from across Africa and the diaspora for two days of high-level dialogue, innovation showcases, and collaboration — all focused on advancing women’s economic empowerment and leadership on the continent.

Under the theme “Breaking the Barriers: Now More Than Ever”, the 2025 edition will tackle the critical challenges facing women in business — from financing and digital transformation to sustainability and policy reform — while celebrating innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth.

“I’m excited to be part of AWIEF2025 because it’s a powerful platform that amplifies women’s leadership and innovation across Africa. It offers an incredible opportunity to connect, collaborate, and drive real impact in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future,” says Dr. Fatima Elsheikh, Secretary General, Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“AWIEF is a dynamic platform that empowers women entrepreneurs and drives inclusive economic growth across Africa. It aligns with our mission to support small businesses, foster innovation, and create sustainable opportunities for South African entrepreneurs,”
— Hon. Jane Sithole, Deputy Minister, Department of Small Business Development, South Africa.

“I believe women should be empowered, equipped, and recognized for their contributions, innovations, and leadership. AWIEF highlights and celebrates these women, globally, in the most beautiful way,”
— Monique Shurray White, CEO and Media Coach, I.M.A.G.E.S. Media Group, USA.

Two Days of Insight, Inspiration, and Impact

The AWIEF2025 programme features keynotes, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and B2B networking sessions addressing leadership, innovation, trade, technology, investing, and policy.

The Opening Keynote will be delivered by Dr. Fatima Elsheikh, setting the tone for a transformative conference. Other highlights include sessions on AI and the Future of Work, Mobilizing Capital for Women Entrepreneurs, Africa’s Green Transition, and Harnessing the AfCFTA for Intra-African Trade.

The exhibition floor will showcase innovative businesses, development organisations, and SMEs from across the continent while the prestigious AWIEF Awards & Gala Dinner will close the event on 31 October, honouring the outstanding achievements of African women entrepreneurs and innovators.

A Global Gathering of Visionaries

AWIEF2025 speakers include more than 70 powerful and high-profile African and global thought leaders across business, development, and politics who will share insights and thought leadership on the conference agenda. Speakers and delegates are joining from across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas — reinforcing AWIEF’s position as a truly pan-African and global platform connecting women entrepreneurs and leaders to opportunity and impact.

“Over the past 11 years, AWIEF has grown into one of Africa’s most influential platforms for women in business,” said Irene Ochem, Founder and CEO of AWIEF. “It is a place where women entrepreneurs connect with peers, investors, and industry leaders, building authentic relationships that open doors and spark collaboration. This year’s theme, Breaking the Barriers: Now More Than Ever, reflects our continued commitment to championing women’s leadership, innovation, and economic inclusion at every level despite the current pushbacks.”

Partners and Sponsors

AWIEF2025 is made possible through the generous support of its esteemed sponsors and partners, including OCP Africa (Diamond Sponsor), Deloitte Africa (Knowledge Partner), City of Cape Town (Host City), African Women Development Fund (AWDF) (Platinum Sponsor), Nedbank (Silver Sponsor), UNDP and UN Women (Bronze Sponsors), as well as MINT360 (Tech Partner).

Their collaboration underscores a shared commitment to advancing women’s entrepreneurship and leadership across Africa.

Event Details

Dates: 30 – 31 October 2025
Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Cape Town, South Africa
Registration: https://apo-opa.co/4o1xQmV

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF).

Media Contact: 
Yolanda Mtshawu
Email: info@awieforum.org
Phone: +27 21 002 8264

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