The Africa Faith and Justice Network acts as a voice to inform and motivate people to take action in their local communities and internationally. We work closely with many constituents on the ground all over Africa as well as with individuals and congregations in the US. We have three levels of organizing that you can get involved in:

• Grassroots organizing and advocacy :
  Spreading knowledge and gaining widespread support is so important to changing mindsets and influencing our policymakers. You can attend or host an event to raise awareness and educate your community on situations in Africa that need our attention. Sign petitions, write letters to your government officials and show them you care about Africa.
• Individual and Congregational Membership :
  Both individuals and congregations are important to spreading our mission and supporting the work we do – in fact we can’t do it without you! Members are kept up to date on our happenings, receive our eNewsletter and participate in our annual meeting.
• Political Advocacy :
  While community based organizing is very important, there are other barriers that prevent the spread of justice. We focus on advocating for policy changes in our government that support a more just and peaceful world by meeting with government officials and pushing for resolutions and actions on specific issues that need our attention.

AFJN Women’s Empowerment Project has been active in Nigeria since 2016. Since then, the sisters have created AFJN-Nigeria, a non-profit organization recognized by the government, and are working to educate, empower, and partner with the youth on campaigns that impact their lives.

Timeline:

• May 26-27, 2016 (Abuja, Nigeria) -- Feasibility Workshop with Sisters
• November 22-27, 2016 (Abuja, Nigeria) -- Outreach and Advocacy Skills Training Workshop for religious sisters with advocacy visit to the National Assembly and National Police Office
• February 14-17, 2017 (Abuja, Nigeria) -- Steering Committee Meeting with the decision to file for legal non-profit status as AFJN in Nigeria (AFJN-Nigeria Chapter) and focus campaign was human trafficking in Edo State, Nigeria
• April 21-28, 2017 (Edo State, Nigeria) -- Community Engagement with advocacy activities on human trafficking in Edo State
• November 22, 2017 – Dec 1, 2017 (Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria) – Seven-Day Anti-trafficking Campaign with several communities. Oba of Benin acted to stop human trafficking in his kingdom, after receiving the advocacy letter
• June 17-23, 2018 (Benin City, Nigeria) -- Advocacy events and sensitization in high schools
• January 19-21, 2018 (Lagos, Nigeria) -- Workshop for Major Superiors of Women Religious Congregations in Nigeria
• April 14, 2018 (Nigeria) -- National Day of Prayer Against Bloodshed in Nigeria and other forms of violence event
• June 17-23 2018 (Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria) -- Grassroots advocacy events on human trafficking in rural communities and in Benin City
• January 27-February 1, 2019 (Enugu, Nigeria) -- Practical Advocacy Training Workshop for sisters
• November 3- 8, 2019 (Edo State, Nigeria) -- Stakeholder Meetings and Advocacy events on human trafficking
• Postponed – May 2020 (Enugu State, Nigeria) -- Rights of the Child major events were postponed due to COVID Pandemic
• June 2020 (Nigeria/Ghana online workshop) -- “Youth for Change” online workshops for youth in Ghana and Nigeria
• September 21-30, 2020 (Anambra State, Nigeria) -- Advocacy Events of sisters and youth with government ministries
• October 8-9, 2020 (Online, Jos, Nigeria) -- “Christian Vocation to Justice Ministry” Workshops with Jos Conference of Women Religious
• October 18, 2020 (Uyo, Nigeria) -- “Advocacy, A Christian Vocation” empowerment workshop for sisters in preparation for regional workshops on human trafficking
• November 19, 2020 (Nigeria) -- Workshop for staff at local Human Rights Office on sexual violence
• March 20 and 26 2021 (Kuje, Abuja, Nigeria) -- Day of Awareness on Human Trafficking and Gender-Based Violence
• April 16, 2021 (Aduku Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria) -- Discussions with households on domestic violence and child trafficking
• April 23, 2021 (Bayelsa, Nigeria) -- Outreach to students and staff at Community Secondary School, Trofani on gender-based violence and trafficking
• April 24, 2021 (Bayelsa, Nigeria) -- Outreach to Federal Government College on the impact of gender-based violence and trafficking on individuals and community
• May 6, 2021 (Odi, Nigeria) -- Outreach to students and staff
• May 16, 2021 (Abari Community and Kaima, Nigeria) -- Outreach to the Abari Community on family violence and trafficking and Kaima’s Catholic Women’s Organization on child abuse and trafficking
• May 22, 2021 (Jos Province, Nigeria) -- “Youth Arise and Shine – Now is the Time” Youth Leadership Training Workshop, trafficking and child labour, gender-based violence land grabbing
• July 8-17, 2021 (Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, Nigeria) -- Campaign to end trafficking with a report on trafficking in the region
• July 12, 2021 (Uyo, Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria) -- Stakeholder meeting with pledge to end trafficking and youth education and training
• July 30, 2021 (Bamishi, Abuja, Nigeria) -- World Day Against Trafficking in Persons event
• September 2021 (Online, Nigeria) -- “AFJN Nigeria Youth Video for Peace” and “Youth Week 2021” outreach
• October 2021 (Online, Nigeria) -- Youth Video Campaign for Peace ahead of elections
• May 17-19, 2022 (Jos, Nigeria) -- “Tackling Drug Use, Ritual Killings, and Cultism in Nigeria: Fashioning a Better Future with Our Youths”
• July 16-18, 2022 (Jos, Nigeria) -- “A Campaign Against Drug Abuse, Human Trafficking, and Early Marriage”