The FEMNET 2025 Programming Conference and General Assembly lit up Nairobi from June 21 to 23, 2025, in a striking display of solidarity and activism, as over 800 women, girls, and allies from across Africa converged for three powerful days of dialogue, healing, resistance, and strategy.
With the theme “Solidarity, Power & Futures,” the pan-African gathering hosted by FEMNET – The African Women’s Development and Communication Network, was both a celebration of feminist wins and a reckoning with the growing global and continental threats to gender justice.
Dressed in purpose, not just fashion, participants wore orange on June 21, a color symbolizing hope and a future free from violence, marking a collective stand against gender-based violence. On June 22, the venue turned green, representing growth, resilience, and environmental justice, as women affirmed their leadership in climate advocacy. White was worn on June 23 during the General Assembly, symbolizing peace, unity, and a vision of accountability.
“The colors we wore reflected the world we are building — one rooted in hope, justice, resilience, and peace,” said FEMNET Executive Director Memory Kachambwa. “This was not just a conference. It was a political act.”
Each day began with grounding sessions — affirmations, wellness walks, and self-care — setting a calm, intentional tone before launching into powerful plenaries, artistic performances, and strategy workshops. The opening day was packed with emotional storytelling, powerful poetry, and a reaffirmation of African feminist solidarity in the face of rising global backlash.
Sessions tackled issues ranging from digital disinformation and bodily autonomy, to climate justice and feminist funding models, with participants unapologetically confronting the rise in anti-rights movements across the continent.
“We are not victims. We are organizers, leaders, innovators, presidents, and movement-builders,” said a passionate speaker during one of the plenary sessions. “The backlash is real, but so is our power.”
The conference also marked the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, with FEMNET launching the Africa Beijing+30 Solidarity Awards, recognizing African women and girls driving change in their regions. The awards honored one young woman under 30 and one woman over 30 from each of Africa’s five sub-regions.
Symbolic and strategic, the event bridged generations and geographies. From grassroots organizers to government officials and tech innovators, voices were united in envisioning an Africa where women thrive in dignity, justice, and freedom.
“The future doesn’t just happen — we disrupt, we create, we own it,” read one of the conference’s central messages. And that message rang loud throughout the halls and across the continent.
As photos of bright orange scarves, green wraps, and white headpieces flood social media, one thing is clear: African feminists are not waiting for permission — they are taking power, making history, and shaping the future on their terms.
