Since its launch in 2022, the World Women’s Observatory (WWO) has emerged as a significant force for the empowerment of vulnerable women across Africa. Through its advocacy efforts, training programs, and strategic partnerships, the WWO aims to uplift those often overlooked—especially women in fragile and marginalized communities. This initiative is operated by the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO), a global federation that has represented Catholic women’s organizations since 1910, uniting over 8 million members worldwide.
The core mission of the WWO is to amplify these women’s voices, ensuring their lived realities are recognized and accounted for by both Church and public policies. Centered around the vision “Women Custodians of Mother Earth,” the observatory has extended its reach throughout Africa, with notable activities in countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Malawi.
Empowering Through Action
Aveline Malisa Ntenga, President of WWO Africa, highlights that the organization’s work emphasizes empowering women through trauma recovery, entrepreneurship training, and reintegration support for survivors of trafficking. This multifaceted approach seeks to heal and uplift women who have endured significant hardships.
In collaboration with various WUCWO-affiliated organizations in nations such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ivory Coast, and Guinea Conakry, the WWO has strengthened its outreach efforts. Partnerships with Caritas, religious congregations, and lay associations enhance the effectiveness and reach of these initiatives.
In Kenya, for example, the WWO collaborates with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference to provide essential training in parenting and community development through the expertise of local leaders like the lay collaborator Elisabeth. This grassroots approach ensures that the community itself plays a role in uplifting its members.
Across the border in Tanzania, initiatives like Rise & Raise and Set Me Free focus on promoting economic inclusion for imprisoned and at-risk women. These programs, guided by local advocate Sylvia Ruambo, exemplify a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by these populations.
Training and Regional Workshops
Capacity-building remains at the heart of the WWO’s strategy. Recently, the observatory organized a major regional workshop in Kenya that successfully trained over 200 women from 25 countries. A similar workshop in Tanzania in 2023 brought together women from 21 nations, demonstrating the growing interest and commitment across the continent. Uganda is also set to host a comprehensive training session in September 2024, focusing on critical skills such as proposal writing, fundraising, advocacy, and social action.
Additionally, the WWO has actively promoted its documentary, Invisibles, and has trained regional ambassadors to enhance the visibility and advocacy of the movement. These efforts not only showcase the stories of women but also empower them to be advocates for their communities.
Listening to the Voices of Thousands of Women
In 2022, the WWO launched its landmark “Cry of African Women” campaign, which engaged with over 10,000 women across 42 African nations. This initiative aimed to gather testimonies that highlight the challenges, resilience, and hopes of women from diverse backgrounds. The insights gleaned from this monumental effort are being utilized to shape local programs and inform pastoral priorities, ensuring that the voices of African women directly influence decision-making processes.
Building Sustainable Alliances
Leadership within the WWO recognizes that collaboration with local authorities is paramount for achieving long-term impact. As such, the organization has intensified efforts to forge relationships with government institutions, law enforcement, and Church leadership. By building these sustainable alliances, the WWO aims to create a more integrated approach to addressing women’s issues.
Utilizing digital platforms like WhatsApp, the WWO is enhancing its coordination efforts and expanding representation across African dioceses. As Ms. Ntenga states, “We cannot do this alone. We need the support of governments, Church leaders, and civil society to bring lasting change to women’s lives.” This multi-faceted approach recognizes that systemic change cannot be achieved in isolation.
WWO Strategic Recommendations
The World Women’s Observatory has outlined several strategic recommendations for the upcoming year aimed at enhancing its impact and outreach. These include organizing a continental coordination meeting for all WWO representatives in Africa, expanding digital training and ambassador networks, and creating a resource library of best practices and case studies for effective programming.
The WWO is also committed to strengthening its partnerships with religious congregations and lay movements as it prepares for its Africa Regional Conference in Uganda from July 28 to August 1, 2025. This commitment to empowering women through faith-based, action-oriented service remains unwavering, ensuring that the observatory continues to be a vital force for inclusion, dignity, and transformative change for women across Africa.
