On March 8, the international community once again celebrated International Women's Rights Day. It was an opportunity to come together, prepare for the future and opportunities for the next generations of women, and also to reveal initiatives and projects that contribute to building a more egalitarian future.
"2120: gender parity can't wait! "
On International Women's Rights Day, the JFD (Journée de la Femme Digitale, or Digital Women's Day) brought together the signatories and the Committee of Wise Men of the JFD Manifesto for an inclusive digital world. This initiative recognized 16 major players in the French and international economy, praised for their actions in favor of gender diversity in business.
The JFD is an event dedicated to women who are revolutionizing the world through digital technology. This year, the event will take place on April 21, 2020, at the Maison de la Radio (Paris) and in July 2020 in Africa.
Alongside this new 2020 edition, JFD aims to mobilize public authorities, large groups, and organizations through this manifesto for an inclusive digital world and a fair future for our societies. "
If we don't change anything, parity will be achieved in a century, in 2120. Unless we live exceptionally long lives, neither you, nor I, nor our children will witness a fair world. Digital technology is a historic accelerator of gender parity. We have brought together French and international economic players with the JFD to take concrete action for better representation of women, because gender parity cannot wait!" Delphine Remy-Boutang, CEO of the Bureau & JFD, President of GEN France.
#VraieFemmeAfricaine: when words are set free
Although questions remain about the impact of movements such as #MeToo, which emerged at the time of the Weinstein affair, social media remains a platform for expression that allows people to speak freely all over the world.
Beyond March 8, the news on the African continent on social media was marked by the creation of the hashtag #VraieFemmeAfricaine on Twitter. Launched on February 26 by Ivorian journalist Bintou Mariam Traoré, it aimed to spark a debate on the issue of women's rights on the African continent.
With a touch of humor, the debate sparked by the hashtag #VraieFemmeAfricaine has helped to denounce sexist clichés, social pressures, and violence suffered by African women on a daily basis. The initiative quickly went viral on Facebook and Twitter, and denunciations have continued to be posted since its launch.
Read also: Women in French-speaking Africa
"Femmes à la Une": for better representation of women in the media
The emancipation of women will also require better representation of their image, particularly in the media.
The Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme des Métiers de l'Internet et de la Communication (E-jicom) in Dakar recently announced the launch of a program aimed at improving the image of women in the media. This commitment will be fulfilled through training and awareness-raising on women's issues, their role, and their image in the local media.
Read also: Training, supporting, and promoting women entrepreneurs on the continent