Togo: AFED intentisifes campaign against gender-based violence

An advocacy and exchange meeting on the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) was held on Wednesday, November 5, in Blitta-Gare, about 270 km north of Lomé, the Togolese capital.

Organised by the Association of Empowered Women for Development (AFED) under its “Voix Essentielles” project, with financial support from Speak Up Africa, the meeting brought together local authorities, women from agricultural cooperatives, and market vendors from Blitta-Gare, Blitta-Village, Doufouli, and Yaloumbè.

The main objective is to secure the commitment of local authorities to create a multisectoral platform for managing GBV cases by January 2026, strengthen coordination between institutional and community actors, and ensure the swift and comprehensive support of victims. The session also encouraged active participation from women, girls, and boys in GBV prevention efforts.

AFED representatives presented the association’s mission, project framework, advocacy document, and the role of the future platform. Participants were trained in case management procedures and advocacy strategies with local authorities. Focal points were appointed in each district, and a monitoring committee was established to oversee implementation.

AFED president Birrégah Ata Rosalie emphasised that GBV cases are often handled informally and without proper follow-up. She said the new platform would enable a coordinated, effective, and rights-based response.

Blitta Prefect Batossa Boukari and Bang’na Izetou Zyad, representative of the mayor of Blitta 1, both welcomed the initiative and urged participants to spread awareness throughout their communities.

This initiative forms part of AFED’s “Voix Essentielles” project, supported by Speak Up Africa, which seeks to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence in the Blitta prefecture.

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