The ADEPT platform is pleased to welcome OFAD, a new ADDO to the network. We met with Suzanne Bellnoun, Founder and President of the Organisation des Femmes Africaines de la Diaspora (O.F.A.D). Read the interview to know more about the OFAD.
1. How was the OFAD born?The OFAD was born out of a rant. I had enough of African Women being stigmatized in France and more largely, in Europe. Every time mention was made of African Women, there were negative words attached to it.
I decided to meet with other African women to talk about that particular issue and think of ways we could change the narrative about African women. This is how the idea of a platform empowering African women came out. We thought it was time we give our daughters and sisters a better image of themselves and tools to reach their full potential by creating the Organisation des Femmes Africaines de la Diaspora (OFAD).
2. What are the objectives of the OFAD and its specialization?
The objective of the OFAD is to motivate and support African women in the diaspora and in Africa. To provide them with the useful tools to find a job matching their skills, empower them, expand their businesses and for those willing to work in Africa, help them prepare for employment or entrepreneurship on the Continent. When it comes to women entrepreneurship and job searching, we set a particular focus on training and support.
Indeed, when I decided to become an entrepreneur, I had to face many challenges setting up my own business in France. People are not used to seeing a migrant woman entrepreneur. Through that experience, I realized how important it was for African women entrepreneurs to be encouraged and get access to tools helping them to save time when setting up their business.
I also discovered that in France employment platforms would match educated African Women with jobs that are lower than their education level. And this is what makes it hard for them to feel confident in their career.
"If women are not present at decision level, how can they promote women empowerment at work?"
3. According to you, what should be put in place to promote women involvement in Africa's development?
First of all, the issue of discrimination against women should become the main concern within African companies. Indeed, in countries like Cameroon, where the majority of businesses are owned by men, the issue of discrimination against women is not raised.
When it comes to the business, the high management does not take the question of women leadership under consideration, if women are not present at decision level, how can they promote women empowerment at work?
More than that, I think we should create a real network gathering together African women from the diaspora and women in Africa. The network would be a platform for strong advocacy in favour of women and would empower them by giving visibility and support to those who succeeded. A network organising training to help women, support them financially, with technical tools and mentorship. The network can also work as a liaising platform helping women in Africa to sell their products outside the continent.
4. How did you hear about the ADEPT Platform and what made you join it?
I heard of ADEPT through the actions that were done by the platform.
ADEPT works at giving more visibility and value to the African Diaspora living in Europe which is also one of our purposes as diaspora women organisation. This is because of this common interest that the OFAD decided to join the ADEPT Platform.
By joining the ADEPT, we are hoping to be able to work together to give the diaspora its deserved place in Africa's development. We are expecting from ADEPT to come up with concrete actions to push and promote the place of the diaspora as Africa’s 6th region.
5. More about the OFAD
The Organisation des Femmes Africaines de la Diaspora (OFAD) is a federation of Associations run by African women living outside their continent. The OFAD brings together the strength and the skills of African women in different fields of activity. More…
