Forty-five female African activists from 15 African countries call on world leaders to play their part in the fight against gender injustice

Dear world leaders, We are the women at the frontlines of the fight against gender inequality and global poverty.

Every day we see the determination and dignity of girls and women facing down the toughest challenges. We see real advances and the power of people to achieve change. We won’t surrender this fight, but we need you to play your part.

You promised to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, but at the current rate of progress, this will take 108 years. This is unacceptable. We need genuine progress, not grand promises.

We want implementation and accountability at every level – from this year’s G7 summit to the Global Fund replenishment; from our African Union leaders to our community leaders. We will be looking for your actions not your words; for funding to follow promises; and policy to turn into practice. It’s both the right and the smart thing to do for everyone.

To accelerate progress men must demand change with us so that we rise united not divided. And women must have a seat at the decision-making table – because you can’t change what you don’t see.

We’re not looking for your sympathy, we’re demanding your action. Because none of us is equal until all of us are equal.

Melene Rossouw Women Lead Movement, South Africa

Joannie Marlene Bewa Young Beninese Leaders Association, Benin

Wadi Victoria Ben-Hirki ONE Champion/Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation, Nigeria

Samira Sanusi Samira Sanusi Sickle Cell Foundation, Nigeria

Fridah Githuku GROOTS, Kenya

Naomi Tulay Solanke Community Health Initiative, Liberia

Chmba Ellen Chilemba Tiwale Women’s Organization, Malawi

Togola Hawa Semega KUNAFONI, Mali

Dieynaba Sidibe Grafitti artist known as Zeinixx Works at Africulturban, Senegal

Lola Omolola FIN, Nigeria

Aya Chebbi African Union youth envoy, Tunisia

Lydia Charles Moyo Femina Hip, Tanzania

Elizabeth Wanja Ngeth Kijiji Afrika, Kenya

Olaoluwa Abagun Girl Pride Circle, Nigeria

Mercy Abang United Nations journalism fellow, Nigeria

Karimot Odebode ONE Champion, Nigeria

Dr Stellah Wairimu Bosire UHAI EASHRI, Kenya

Dolapo Olaniyan The UnCut Initiative, Nigeria

Scheaffer Okore Pan African Chamber of Commerce, Kenya

Diana Ninsiima DOT Tanzania, Tanzania

Salimatou Fatty GPE youth advocate, Gambia

Mildred Ngesa FEMNET, Kenya

Memory Kachambwa FEMNET, Zimbabwe

Julie Cissé GIPS WAR, Senegal

Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng Global Doctors for Choice, South Africa

Mylene Flicka Blogger, Benin

Mercy Juma Broadcast journalist, Kenya

Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi Stand to End Rape Initiative, Nigeria

Amina Abdulazeez ONE Champion, Nigeria

Hauwa Liman Inspire for Impact, Nigeria

Linet Kwamboka DataScience, Kenya

Saran Keïta Diakite Malian Advocacy Group on SDGs, Mali

Sagara Saran Bouare Women in Law and Development, WILDAF, Mali

Maimouna Dioncounda Dembele Human Rights Activist, Mali

Mariam Diallo Association for Women’s Leadership and Development, AFLED, Mali

Nana Toure Sahel Youth Network, Mali

Valérie Traoré Niyel, Senegal

Imameleng Masitha The Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition, South Africa

Mama Koité Doumbia FEMNET Mali, Mali

Refilwe Ledwaba Girl Fly Programme in Africa Foundation, GFPA, South Africa

Anta Fall Basse Konté FAWE Sénégal, Senegal

Danedjo Hadidja APAD Maroua, Cameroon

Martha Muhwezi FAWE, Kenya

Françoise Kpeglo Moudouthe Co-founder of Girls Not Brides

Nana Semuah Bressey Nurse, Ghana

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