Editorial.

• Author: Kagoiya, Rachel

To many of us, "feminism" is an ideology about equality, fairness and women's rights. However, being a woman and understanding women's issues simply does not imply that one is a feminist, it is the actual pointing out of the inequalities of the system in which a woman is born in and making constructive efforts to address the issues that affect women.

Over 250 feminists gathered in Nairobi from 17th to 19th January 2007 to participate in the 3rd International Feminists Dialogues (FD). As an international meeting of feminist organizations and networks, the FD is held just a few days before the World Social Forum (WSF). As a matter of fact, the FD has now been recognized by many as a strategic space for feminists to come together in their broad diversity to explore past and current issues, their differences and common ground, and their role in the larger social movements. The FD aims at promoting effective intervention in the broader WSF process as feminists organizing for change and to establish strategic and politically relevant links with other regional and international social movements. In this issue, we bring you an exclusive article by Ms Wendy Harcourt, a member of the FD Coordinating Group, addressing important issues discussed during the two-and-a-half days meeting in Nairobi.

A key outcome of the FD 2007 was the launch of the African Charter of Feminist Principles. The Charter, which was adopted by over 100 feminist activists in November 2006 during the first African Feminist Forum (AFF) in Ghana, is a landmark achievement for re-energizing and strengthening the feminist movement in Africa. As such, there is need to popularize the Charter to ensure that many African women organisations are aware of its existence and are making use of it in building and monitoring their individual and collective development. In this issue, you will find an inspiring online interview on the Charter, shared by Ms. Mary Wandia, the Regional Women's Rights Coordinator at Action Aid International.

Feminism takes a new twist as exemplified in the interview with Ms. Celestine Wamiru, one of the few professional female cartoonist in Kenya who is using her art to communicate gender messages.

As you reflect on these and other articles in this issue, we believe you will find them inspiring and informative as we all endeavor to keep the crusade for an equal world for all. Feel free to send us your comments and feedback.

Enjoy your reading!

Rachel Kagoiya...