Fanta Cisse
Senegal
I call myself a feminist because it is about a simple issue of social justice.
I was born and I live in Senegal. I am a sociologist and have been a member of
GREFELS since 2009. I am extremely grateful as GREFELS has created the space
for me as a young feminist to work with and engage with other like-minded
women. I also worked for the regional office of WLUML/AME (Women Living
under Muslim Laws/Africa and Middle East). It is an international solidarity
network that provides information, support and a collective space for women
whose lives are shaped, or governed by laws and customs said to be derived
from Islam.
Working with women and for women is one of the most gratifying things in my
life. I call myself a feminist because it is about a simple issue of social justice.
I am a woman and I am conscious of having the same rights as those of my
male counterparts, rights that are not respected in Africa, often in both legal
and in social terms. My activism is dedicated to ensuring that all women get
access to and control over resources, access to skills, control over the body
(abortion rights that are still denied) and take part in decision making process
the same level as the men.
being. African women should be sensitized on these issues as they are agents
of transmission of the values of a retrogressive and misogynous society unto
future generations. It is unfortunate that most young women that I know believe
that is archaic and irrelevant. Their thinking is that, this is a western imported
ideology forgetting that great feminists lived (and still live) in Africa.
As a sociologist, my orientation is rather geared towards issues of gender,
law, culture and reproductive health. Through my engagements with GREFELS
and WLUML, I am able to assist women to break the isolation through which
they waged their struggles, using more effective tools such as presentations of
petitions and call for assistance.
Globally, women don’t enjoy the same autonomy as men in terms of their status
and roles. It is often difficult for them to assume control over social and political
institutions that determine the framework of their life.
I am inspired by African women’s fight for thei "g&VVF