Jill Anami- the defender and feminist sister

Jill Anami is the Policy and Advocacy Officer at Womankind Worldwide. With Jill’s progressive experience in gender and International Development, and previous engagements with World YWCA and FEMNET, she is driven by a strong commitment towards advancing the empowerment of women and girls. Jill passionately advocates for their equal access to opportunities and the fulfilment of their human rights, acknowledging and valuing their diverse identities. She’s been in the feminist space for 12 years having started when she was 19 after completing her undergraduate studies. She stumbled upon feminism which brought her to the realization that she’d been a feminist but didn’t have the words to describe it- her passion for women’s and girls’ rights had always been unrelenting from a young age. 

 Where would you cluster yourself in the feminist space? Are you an igniter, disrupter, defender, front-liner or sister? 

I see myself as a defender and sister in the feminism movement. While I may not be on the frontline as a defender I have used my voice to champion advocacy, pen thought-leadership pieces on women’s rights and influence the agenda on global platforms. As a sister, I stand in solidarity with all African women and girls, constantly aware of their struggles and remind them that they have the power to be who they want to be in this world. 

 Would you share with us some of your milestones and contributions in the feminism movement? 

I have led advocacy initiatives in strategic spaces such as the GIMAC- Africa Union, CSW, CPD, the Human Rights Council and the Generation Equality Forums. In these forums I have championed an end to child marriage, female genital mutilation while also challenging conversations to be inclusive of young women and girls.  

 As a writer, I am keen on influencing thought-leadership on women’s rights and have written extensively about issues such as reproductive health rights, inclusive gender financing and the Maputo protocol.  

 What are you celebrating on this Africa Day? OR Who are you celebrating on this Africa Day? 

I celebrate all African women those who’ve gone before us, the present generation and those who are still to come. Their power, blood and sweat to advance women’s rights will not be forgotten. 

 Today, I am reminded of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female head of state in Africa, Wangari Maathai who kept on and didn’t give up the fight to preserve our environment and all the pan-African feminists in the struggle.  

 I also celebrate the bold AU agenda 2063 and the commitment it has for women and girls by solidifying all efforts and lastly; the audacious Maputo protocol and the Beijing Platform for Action, groundbreaking instruments that gives us the roadmap towards a gender equal Africa and world.   

 What would you like to reiterate in this year’s Africa day in relation to gender equality? And what’s your ideal Africa when it comes to realizing gender equality 

 It’s appalling to see that patriarchy still exists in Africa even with the progress and advancements we’ve made so far in progressive women’s rights policies. Nonetheless, let’s keep the fight on to ensure that we hold our leaders accountable, see an end to gender inequality and to forms of abuse such as FGM and child marriage. 

 My ideal Africa is a continent that paves the way for more female presidents far beyond Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Joyce Banda, Samia Suluhu Hassan amongst others. I hope we bring an end to the objectification of African women, see them as powerholders and that they have all it takes to make a difference in the world around us. 

 Any special quote from feminist sisters or feminist respected leaders that you’d like to highlight on this Africa Day? 

 Ellen Sirleaf Johnson: ‘’To girls and women everywhere I issue a simple invitation. My sisters, my daughters, my friends; find your voice’’