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Nairobi, 5–6 September 2025

TThe African Women Forum 2025, held in Nairobi on 5–6 September, brought together women political leaders, activists, development partners, and civil society actors from across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in a powerful two-day regional gathering. Hosted under the WYDE Political Parties Project, and supported by ENoP, The Christian Democratic International Center (KIC), and The Oslo Center, the forum served as a critical moment of reflection, connection, and strategic action toward greater inclusion and leadership of women in political life.

The WYDE Political Parties Project is part of the broader Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE), funded by the European Union. It aims to strengthen the participation and representation of women and youth in political parties across Africa, by empowering emerging leaders and fostering structural reforms within political institutions.

This year’s forum stood out for its intergenerational lens and the diversity of political trajectories represented. Participants included women currently serving in parliaments, county assemblies, party leadership, youth wings, and grassroots organisations. What united them all was a shared commitment to transforming politics from within — to make it more inclusive, representative, and responsive.

Among the themes discussed were the future of women’s political participation in Africa, strategies to challenge entrenched social norms, the role of political parties in driving democratic reform, and the power of cross-border collaboration. The forum also celebrated the voices and stories of those women working at the heart of political systems to advance change — from seasoned political leaders to emerging youth voices.

Importantly, the forum was not only a space for dialogue but also for action. Each delegation co-developed a tailored action plan to take forward within their respective political parties, with clear goals and commitments. These plans reflect the WYDE Political Parties Project’s central approach: empowering women to act as changemakers within political systems — as candidates, legislators, party leaders and policy influencers.

ENoP believes that political parties remain essential democratic institutions. Despite current global challenges to democracy and the increasing public disillusionment with party systems, we are convinced that by supporting the leadership of women and youth within these structures, we can help to renew political culture from the inside. Change must be systemic — and for that, it must be political.

The African Women Forum 2025 was a remarkable demonstration of that belief in action.

The activities have been implemented through the dedicated work of the following partners:

• The Christian Democratic International Center (KIC)
• The Oslo Center

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