SEMA Collective Memory Exhibition, We Are Speaking, Are You Listening?

On 11 May 2026, the SEMA Collective Memory Exhibition, We Are Speaking, Are You Listening?, was presented alongside the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, The Gambia. The exhibition was organised by the SEMA Global Network in partnership with the Mukwege Foundation and the Francophone Feminist Alliance, a consortium initiative led by FIDH and Equipop. The exhibition created a powerful space for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence to share their experiences and call for justice, accountability, and recognition. Through personal stories and collective memory, the exhibition highlighted the lasting impact of conflict-related sexual violence while placing survivors’ voices at the centre of regional human rights discussions.

The opening event brought together more than 60 participants, including representatives of the African Commission, civil society organisations, and regional human rights mechanisms. The event featured remarks from Honourable Commissioner Janet Ramatoulie Sallah-Njie, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa; Honourable Commissioner Salma Sassi, Special Rapporteur on Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants in Africa; and Honourable Commissioner Hatem Essaiem, Chair of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture in Africa.

The exhibition provided an important opportunity for dialogue between survivors, Commissioners, and civil society, reinforcing the importance of listening to survivors and ensuring that their lived experiences inform regional efforts to address conflict-related sexual violence. Discussions focused on the need for survivor-centred responses, meaningful participation in decision-making, and stronger regional action to advance justice and accountability.