At the beginning of June, the Alliance Française de Moroni hosted an exhibition tracing four centuries of struggles for women’s rights in Europe. Organised as part of Europe Fortnight, the initiative offered visitors an opportunity to explore the individuals and movements that contributed to advancing gender equality and securing fundamental rights for women.
The exhibition was organised under the European Union-funded project “Strengthening the Protection and Participation of Women, Youth and Civil Society in the Union of the Comoros” (SHAWIRI), in collaboration with the National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms (CNDHL) and the Alliance Française de Moroni.
Through 30 portraits featuring 20 pioneering women and 10 male allies, the exhibition highlighted key stages in the evolution of women’s rights across Europe. It presented the efforts of generations of women who challenged discrimination and worked to secure fundamental rights, including access to education and employment, the right to vote, equality before the law and greater representation in political and social life.
By placing these individual journeys within their historical context, the exhibition encouraged visitors to consider the progress achieved over the past four centuries, while recognising that the advancement of gender equality has been the result of sustained collective action. It also provided a space for dialogue on the continued importance of protecting women’s rights and promoting their full participation in public life.
The exhibition’s opening ceremony, held on 5 June in the presence of young students, paid tribute to French journalist and women’s rights advocate Léon Richer, whom several prominent feminists of his time described as the “father of feminism”. By highlighting his contribution, SHAWIRI and the CNDH sought to underline the important role that men and boys can play as allies in advancing women’s rights.
During the ceremony, Pavlos Evangelidis, Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union, observed that Léon Richer could have chosen not to become involved, but instead dedicated his life to supporting this cause. His example served as an invitation to new generations of men and boys to actively contribute to the promotion of equality and to stand alongside women in the defence of their rights.
The participation of young students gave the event an important intergenerational dimension. By introducing younger audiences to the women and men who helped shape the history of women’s rights in Europe, the exhibition encouraged reflection on how individual commitment and collective mobilisation can contribute to lasting social change.
Through this activity, SHAWIRI reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the protection and participation of women, young people and civil society in the Union of the Comoros. The exhibition also reflected the Alliance Française de Moroni’s wider mission to promote culture and dialogue by providing a platform for discussion on major societal issues, particularly women’s rights and gender equality.
