As I walked out of the conference hall for the last time, a rush of emotions washed over me. I felt both excited and thoughtful. My voice wasn’t heard as much as I wanted, and I often questioned my place. Could someone like me, just starting my journey, have the same impact as seasoned feminist activists? While my expectations were not fully met, I learned valuable lessons. I was happy to be part of a big African Union Forum for the first time but as a 20-year-old feminist, I was also disappointed about some overlooked issues. At times, I felt like a coward for not speaking my mind.
My advocacy journey began in December 2022 as an intern at TANGA community, a feminist initiative in Rwanda, and I later transitioned to a project officer position where I led the implementation of a project focused on young people’s sexual and reproductive justice with a focus on monitoring implementation of Rwanda’s Comprehensive sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum. With nearly two years of experience, I am passionate about this field. Participating in the 10th African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development marked a significant milestone in my career. The forum’s purpose was to bring together activists, government officials, and various stakeholders to address crucial issues facing our continent, with a focus on sustainable development and social justice. I was enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute, learn, and network with like-minded individuals. I expected a space where everyone felt a sense of belonging, but it seemed more focused on government officials. This left me questioning how we can amplify the people’s voice in such spaces.
One memorable session involved breaking into groups based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I joined the ‘Goal 1: Ending Poverty’ group. My dedication to this goal was personal. Ending poverty is crucial for equitable growth and ensuring better opportunities for all Rwandans, as well as Africans. While people pitched ideas about uplifting women in society, some focused solely on “accountability.” This focus on accountability encompassed holding individuals accountable for their actions that contribute to poverty. This included addressing corruption, exploitation, and other practices that perpetuate poverty. I questioned how we could hold people accountable without exploring all options to tackle poverty. Although our brainstorming generated many ideas, most were set aside in favor of modifying existing plans and young newcomers often struggle with understanding prior plans and inaccessible language in these forums, making meaningful participation challenging. This highlighted the challenge of getting new ideas heard and considered. I was frustrated by the lack of in-depth discussions on critical issues but appreciated those who pinpointed important topics.
Despite these frustrations, I made meaningful connections. I interacted with individuals from trade unions and other activists, discussing future collaborations. This reinforced my belief that we all share the same ultimate goal, even if our approaches differ.
Looking back, my reflections on the event are a mix of gratitude and a sense of unfinished business. I learned valuable lessons and connected with inspiring individuals, but there is a need for more inclusive and in-depth discussions. To other young women feminists, I would say: step up and do it differently than I did. Pitch your ideas boldly and have the courage I lacked. Do not let “years of experience” or “age difference” make you feel less important. Your opinion counts just as much.
For future conferences, I hope to see more young people speaking up and being heard. We need environments where every voice, regardless of experience or age, can contribute to the conversation, enabling real progress in our advocacy and activism efforts.