SahelActivistes.org platform to be launched

The AfricTivistes trainers’ roadshow stopped at the Homeland Hotel in Niamey from 7 to 11 March 2022, where a training workshop on tackling inequality in the Sahel was held. The activity was part of the “Sahel Insight” programme, implemented by AfricTivistes in partnership with OXFAM and WILDAF. It brought together a number of young Nigerien change-makers involved in community organisations and with a clear interest in development issues.

Using a participatory approach based on collective intelligence, the Nigerien change-makers began by sharing their understanding of “inequality” and how it manifests itself across different sectors and in various forms. They then identified priority areas where they could play an active role in reducing inequality in Niger.

Drawing on the Nigerien context, the Sahel Activists of Niger argued that inequality could be defined as the unfair distribution of national wealth in favour of a privileged minority and to the detriment of the vast majority of the population.

In their view, inequality is reflected in poor governance, limited access to basic social services, and socio-cultural discrimination reinforced by certain social norms that encourage injustice and gender-based inequality.

They believe that reducing inequality requires:

An equitable distribution of wealth,

Access to information,

Access to quality basic social services,

Genuine access to education for all,

Equality before the law and in the justice system,

An end to child marriage,

Good governance and transparency in the management of public affairs,

Social justice,

Civic commitment and participation,

Raising awareness of inequality,

Transforming certain social norms,

Civic commitment and participation,

Keeping girls in school.

Through this initiative, AfricTivistes, in partnership with Oxfam and WiLDAF, aims to help young people understand and recognise their ability to change society by drawing on their own resources, while also strengthening their commitment to fighting inequality through digital technology.

“This training is valuable because it has equipped us to take action with the resources available to us. It is also a good way to make the most of the different opportunities open to us to fight inequality,” says Oumou Kane of Sahel Activistes Niger.

AfricTivistes trainers Cheikh Fall, Papa Ismaila Dieng and Ngor Diouma Dione supported participants throughout the process, working together to identify and implement effective strategies and ultimately find ways forward.

Three priority areas for reducing inequality in Niger were identified: quality education for all, access to basic social services, and the promotion of civic commitment and participation. Following a SWOT analysis, the activists in Niger also plan to draw on their collective capacity, commitment and range of skills to carry out their activities and achieve their objectives.

They also intend to make use of opportunities available in the Nigerien context: a favourable legal framework, capacity-building programmes, an existing network of partners, access to digital technology and a supportive media environment.

However, the young people recognise that several threats could undermine their efforts to achieve results. These include fatalism among the population, political instability and insecurity, certain religious and traditional beliefs, and a lack of political will and courage.

Nevertheless, analysing their stakeholder and power map helped them understand the sensitivities involved in distinguishing between the different stakeholders, as well as the challenges of identifying hostile actors. The exercise enabled them to adopt a more nuanced approach to their methods of intervention.

“AfricTivistes’ training met all my expectations, thanks to the participatory and inclusive approach through which it was delivered,” says Abdoul Fatah, a member of Sahel Activistes Niger.

In short, joining forces to combat our ills is far better than going it alone. That is perhaps the key lesson from the training, which led to the creation of a new league of champions for justice called “Sahel Activistes Niger”.

Alongside using digital technology to inform, educate, raise awareness, advocate and influence in order to promote participation in reducing inequality, they are counting on greater awareness among the community of stakeholders and on a network of change-makers committed to fighting inequality.

They will therefore carry out a number of activities, including developing a web platform, organising information and awareness-raising campaigns, organising and launching advocacy campaigns, researching and producing content through a database, and creating a community of committed stakeholders.

The first phase of the Sahel Insight project completed

Niger is where the first phase of Sahel Insight has been completed. AfricTivistes will soon launch SahelActivistes.org, a web platform that will bring together the action plans and activities of all four countries.

Digital campaigns and online training set out in the action plans have also been delivered in the different countries.

AfricTivistes and its partner OXFAM are working to bring together their programmes to tackle inequality in the Sahel and achieve greater impact.