The International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) has launched a global campaign to stop violence against infants and minors across Africa.
The campaign was unveiled by the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) at the triennial General Assembly in Marrakech, Morocco, marking another historical outing for Africa in global elections.
This landmark event brought together African women, including three from Nigeria and one from Madagascar, clinching key positions in the ICW-CIF.
The conference also hosted by Morocco’s National Union of Moroccan Women (UNFM) at Kenzi Rose, brought together women leaders worldwide to strategise on gender equity, elect new officials and adopt critical resolutions for women and children’s welfare.
A former national president of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda from Nigeria was re-elected as ICW-CIF’s board member for a second term (2025–2028) Dr. Shoda also served as ICW-CIF’s coordinator for social issues (2018-2022) and currently serves as president of ARCW-CRAF.
Also elected is the current national president of NCWS, Princess Edna Azura also from Nigeria as the coordinator, Standing Committee on General Well-being.
The council equally elected Mrs. Geraldine Etuk (Nigeria) as the advisor, International Relations and Peace under the Standing Committee for the Status of Women, followed by Ms. Estelle Razanadrakoto (Madagascar), who emerged Advisor for Women and Empowerment under the Sustainable Development Committee.
Their victories underscored Africa’s growing influence in global women’s advocacy.
In another development, ARCW-CRAF on June 25, 2025, held its regional meeting where it adopted a Unified Stand for Africa’s Children.
The meeting, chaired by the president, Dr. Shoda, was attended by the Vice President, Ms. Mapula Nkomo (South Africa), board member, Ms. Patricia Mabataung, represented by Melefa Mosala, President of NCW (Lesotho), and the Secretary, Ms. Estelle Andriamasy ( Madagascar).
Other participants were national council presidents, including Princess Edna Azura (Nigeria); Helen M. Ntlatleng (South Africa); Melefa I. Mosala (Lesotho); Estelle Andriamasy (Madagascar), and Joelle Bile (DR Congo).
Also in attendance at the meeting were NCWS state patrons including the first ladies of Bayelsa State, Dr. Gloria Diri; Dr. Nafisa Idris (Kebbi), and Mrs. Priscilla Otti of Abia, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, Chief (Mrs.) Ifeoma Thomas, as well as ICW-CIF life members and delegates from Morocco and other African nations.
Among the resolutions adopted at the Marrakech conference include: Protecting Africa’s Youngest, which came after exhaustive deliberations on pervasive gender-based violence, particularly against infants (ages 0–5). ARCW-CRAF unanimously adopted the ‘Awareness Campaign on Violence Against Infants and Minors.’
Other key resolutions are: Annual Awareness Day to commemorate victims, advocate for justice and educate communities; Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in partnership with governments, NGOs, and media to institutionalise child protection measures, and Continental Advocacy, urging African governments to prioritise legal and policy frameworks for minors’ safety.
Presenting the regional report and communiqué to ICW-CIF leadership on June 26 for global endorsement for the campaign, ARCW-CRAF president, Dr. Shoda noted that “Africa’s children deserve a future free from violence. This campaign is our pledge to amplify their voices and hold systems accountable.”
She added that ARCW-CRAF would work with national councils to implement the campaign, beginning with sensitisation programmes in Nigeria, South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar, and DR Congo.
“The Africa Regional Council of Women (ARCW-CRAF), at its regional meeting at the ICW-CIF 37th General Assembly in Marrakech, deliberated extensively on the alarming and growing incidence of violence—physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and structural—against infants and minors across the continent.”
