Ecofeminist Voices push for a shift to global power structures
by Thomas Bwire
November 24th, 2025Amsterdam, the Netherlands
The African continent is said to be blessed with a diverse ecosystem such as minerals, fresh water bodies, and productive land for farming inputs among others. On the other hand, it also faces its fair share of challenges with scenarios such as prolonged drought, flooding and deforestation often resulting in affecting the way of living for its population within the given ecosystem.
On November 15th, 2025 the 30th edition of Afrikadag took place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This year’s theme was ‘A New Global Order’. Here, women voices came together to amplify what is at stake and a sharper reminder that global climate negotiations cannot succeed without the leadership and knowledge and lived experiences of a feminist movement.
Speakers at a side event, organized by Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) themed ’Ecofeminist Realities: From local solutions to global impact’ called for a shift away from traditional development aid toward reparations, direct funding, and instead emphasize community led solutions.
Toni Haastrup, Professor in global politics at the University of Manchester, in her own reflection, emphasized the importance of creating spaces for African feminist knowledge to be brought to the limelight. Acknowledging that feminist movements have an influence and provide alternatives to prevailing noise, and show the need to ask critical questions.
“We do need to take the climate crisis seriously, without the planet, there is nothing we can secure and we cannot have a people centered planet without having an action plan”, said Professor Haastrup.
She went ahead by pointing out how global security models are instead putting aside lots of investments in militaries and war while on the other hand turning a blind eye to communities, land and environmental regeneration.
The audience was also treated to a short film preview profiling the work of Ernestine Leikeki of Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW). The film showcased the power of the rural women in Cameroon involved in protecting forests, regenerating ecosystems and building their own community economies, as they face state neglect.
‘The reflection made by Sarah Kuck, who is filmmaker and Director at Present Medium, revealed the emotional intensity of what it takes to document women-led initiatives at a grassroot level that showcase their environmental struggles.
For her, Ernestine’s leadership was not just visually compelling – it was politically instructive adding that “When women speak about their work, they are not asking for sympathy, they are asking for change.”
Kuck’s most powerful reflection came when she shared her personal experiences of attending a Conference of the Parties (COP), although not specifying which year, with some African feminist delegations. “The negotiation space is very hard to access, but what keeps women like Ernestine going is the solidarity,” added Kuck.
As a climate justice policy expert at Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), Valery Molay played a central role in steering the Afrikadag ecofeminist talks toward the interplay between global climate governance and grassroots feminism. Her guidance offered a sharp, strategic look at how international climate systems marginalise the very actors doing the most essential environmental work.
Her remarks highlighted the emotional labour and resilience required for grassroots women to enter formal negotiations spaces like COP and offer their diverse perspectives. “If grassroots feminist organisations do not show up, the conversation will be different,” said Molay.
Molay spoke passionately about the need for feminist organisations to be physically present at COP summits, despite the emotional, financial, and logistical strain they may go through. She noted that solidarity networks among women are pillars of emotional grounding and that their stories disrupt sanitized diplomatic language. “You cannot tell me you cannot fund grassroots organisations when the work is right here in front of you.” added Molay.
She described the atmosphere among grassroots women at COP as a “sisterhood of resistance,” even when the negotiations themselves at times may end up producing little progress. “When women like Ernestine speak, they carry their communities with them. They speak for silenced lands.” continued Molay.
The Afrikadag 2025 session “Ecofeminist Realities: From Local Solutions to Global Impact” offered far more than a discussion among the stakeholders present. The timely interventions opened a blueprint approach on how the world should tackle the elephant in the room namely, the persistent failure to integrate climate action, justice, and development.
About Afrikadag
Afrikadag has been the leading event bringing Africa to the Netherlands for 30 years. With around 1,000 visitors, speakers, volunteers, and 40 partner organizations, it is the largest public event in the Netherlands on Africa and international cooperation.
Its main objective is to provide a platform for African voices and bring together citizens, politicians, and NGOs to discuss a new partnership between Africa and Europe based on equality and offers sessions that consist of workshops, lectures, discussions, film and music.
The Day is organized annually by the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and the Max van der Stoel Foundation (FMS).
Among one of the key notable partners is Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF). A non-profit International network dedicated to a gender just and healthy planet for all. This includes, 150 ecofeminist network members who are based in over 70 countries worldwide.
