Today, 14 April 2015, sadly marks exactly one year since over 200 innocent girls were abducted in their school in Chibok, Nigeria by militant group Boko Haram.

We the members of the FEMNET Board, Secretariat as well as Members comprising of women's rights activists and organizations from over 40 countries in Africa as well as from the Diaspora are concerned that the girls have to date not been rescued. We urge the newly elected President of Nigeria, H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, to act expeditiously to #bringbackourgirls and enforce security to ensure women and girls are no longer subjected to abductions, sexual violence and loss of life.

“His success as the Leader and his government will be measured by his ability to protect and uphold the human rights of its citizens - women and men, girls and boys - and more especially those most marginalized”, says Dinah Musindarwezo, Executive Director of FEMNET.

As we reflect on #bringbackourgirls, we invite our leaders and institutions – starting from the African Union - and all members of society to reflect on the current state of violations of women and girls and resolve to take action to heighten gender equality principles and practices so as to ensure women and girls enjoy all their rights and live in freedom and dignity.

Religious and cultural fundamentalisms and extremisms have no place in our world!

Let’s join efforts to end this insanity - we want peace, respect for others and their beliefs, solidarity and love to prevail over hatred and bigotry. We count on the newly elected President to show leadership by bringing back the girls to their homes.

For more information contact:-
Rachel Kagoiya, Information Manager, FEMNET