Firdaous Initiative for Academic Excellence

20/03/2026

10/03/2026

We are pleased to share a new publication titled “The 48-Hour Justice: Why Africa’s Continental Court Just Ordered Tanzania to Amend its Constitution” authored by Hemed Swaleh Jr.

The piece examines the landmark African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights judgment in Ado Shaibu and Others v. United Republic of Tanzania, which held that a constitutional provision preventing challenges to presidential election results violates the right to be heard and access to justice.

Read it here https://firdaouscentre.org/the-48-hour-justice-why-africas-continental-court-just-ordered-tanzania-to-amend-its-constitution/

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day! 💜🌸

Today we celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women across the world. Women continue to lead, innovate, and shape societies through their contributions in leadership, education, peacebuilding, and many other fields.

Let us continue to champion empowerment and ensure every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.

07/03/2026

As we mark 1 day to go to International Women's Day, we celebrate Folorunso Alakija, a remarkable entrepreneur whose journey from banking and fashion to leading a major oil and gas company reflects resilience, vision, and leadership. Her success and philanthropy continue to inspire women across Africa and beyond to pursue bold ideas and create opportunities.

Today’s call to action: Support a women-owned business and contribute to empowering women entrepreneurs. 💼✨

06/03/2026

2 Days to Go! ⏳

As we count down to International Women’s Day, we celebrate women who transform conflict into peace and hope. Today we recognize Leymah Gbowee, whose leadership in Liberia’s women’s peace movement demonstrated the extraordinary power of women in peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Let us continue to amplify the voices of women shaping peaceful communities. 🌍
Tag a woman contributing to peace in your community. ✨

05/03/2026

As we count down to International Women’s Day, we celebrate Fatou Bensouda — a trailblazer in international criminal justice and the first African woman to serve as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.

Her leadership stands as a powerful reminder that women continue to shape justice systems, defend human rights, and advance accountability worldwide.

Tag a woman in law who inspires you.

04/03/2026

As we count down to International Women’s Day, we celebrate Women in Education under the theme “Educate a Woman, Empower a Nation.”

Today, we spotlight Angeline Murimirwa, whose journey from beneficiary to CEO of CAMFED reflects the transformative power of education in unlocking leadership, confidence, and economic independence for girls across Africa.

When you educate a girl, you empower a generation.

💬 Share a story of a teacher or mentor who inspired your journey.

20/02/2026

New Insight on Gender Equality in Africa

Dive into “Understanding Gender Equality in the African Context: Negotiating Change”, a thoughtful exploration of how gender norms, cultural dynamics, and development efforts intersect across African societies.
This piece highlights the importance of context-specific approaches to gender equity, acknowledging both progress and the ongoing challenges that shape social, economic, and political opportunities for women and men across the continent.

From cultural values to policy negotiations, Mrvellous Mwamba Chitindi sheds light on how meaningful change is being defined and pursued within Africa’s diverse contexts.

📄 Read the full article: https://firdaouscentre.org/understanding-gender-equality-in-the-african-context-negotiating-change/

Join the conversation:
Let’s rethink what gender equality means in Africa — beyond universal frameworks, towards informed, culturally grounded change.

21/01/2026

[Call for Papers]

The 7th African Youth Peace Summit invites paper submissions on the theme “One future, intertwined fates: Youth, Technology and the Environment as pillars of Peace” The summit will be held at the University of Lusaka, Zambia on 24th of June 2026

The summit convene scholars, practitioners, policymakers, youth leaders and civil society actors to explore the evolving role of youth in shaping sustainable peace on the African Continent through the intersections of technology and environmental stewardship.

Contributions that highlight African perspectives, comparative insights and interdisciplinary approaches are particularly welcomed under the following thematic areas:

· Youth, Peace and Conflict Transformation
· Technology, Innovation and Peace building
· Environmental Sustainability and Peace Digital Governance and Rights Protection Intersectional approaches to Youth Empowerment and Peace

Abstract deadline: 15 March 2026 (maximum 300 words)
Notification of acceptance: 30 March 2026
Full paper deadline: 15 May 2026

Selected papers will be published in the FIAE Law Journal.

Scholars, researchers, policy experts, youth practitioners, and graduate students with interests in youth, peace, technology, environment, governance, and development are encouraged to submit.

Abstracts should be submitted via https://firdaouscentre.org/abstract-submission/

14/01/2026

🌍 Webinar Invitation | Global Emerging Issues in Leadership

Leadership today is being reshaped by unprecedented global challenges — from climate change and digital transformation to geopolitical tensions and ethical governance. Understanding these emerging issues is no longer optional; it is essential.

📅 Date: 18 January 2026
💻 Format: Online Webinar
🎯 Theme: Global Emerging Issues in Leadership

Join scholars, practitioners, and emerging leaders for an insightful conversation on how leadership must adapt in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

🔹 Key discussions will explore:
• Leadership in times of global uncertainty
• Governance, ethics, and accountability
• Technology, youth, and the future of leadership

📌 Save the date and be part of the conversation shaping the future of leadership.

👉 Registration: https://calendar.app.google/Vu68JUgkXssAYSS76

05/01/2026

New Publication Alert: Legal & Policy Analysis on Constitutional Reform for Women’s Reserved Seats in Nigeria 🇳🇬

We are pleased to share our latest legal and policy analysis exploring the proposed constitutional alteration to provide reserved legislative seats for women in Nigeria.

In this timely piece, our FIAE head of leadership and governance unit Pato Muema examines the structural exclusion of women from political representation, critiques the limitations of formal equality under the current Constitution, and argues for Temporary Special Measures (TSMs)—specifically, the creation of elective reserved seats as a corrective mechanism to advance substantive gender equality.
firdaouscentre.org

The analysis also draws on comparative lessons from regional constitutional frameworks and aligns the proposal with Nigeria’s international obligations under CEDAW and the Maputo Protocol.
firdaouscentre.org

🔗 Read the full analysis here:
https://firdaouscentre.org/legal-and-policy-analysis-constitutional-alteration-for-reserved-seats-for-women-in-nigeria/

We invite practitioners, academics, and advocates to engage with this research and contribute to the discourse on inclusive democratic reform.

11/12/2025

📢 CALL FOR PAPERS | 7th African Youth Peace Summit

"One Future, Intertwined Fates: Youth, Technology, and the Environment as Pillars of Peace"

📍 Lusaka, Zambia | 📅 June 24, 2026 | 🌐 Hybrid Format

We invite submissions exploring the intersections of youth innovation, AI in justice systems, and climate action for peacebuilding in Africa.

🎯 SUB-THEMES:
1️⃣ AI, Ethics, and Justice in the African Context
2️⃣ Climate Justice, Peace, and Sustainable Futures
3️⃣ The Synergy of Technology and Environment for Peacebuilding

✍️ Submit: Research papers, panel proposals, or workshop ideas

🔗 https://firdaouscentre.org/summit-call-for-papers/