Gradually, however, these women’s groups would be replaced by organizations founded and run by African women in Africa, directly championing political causes. In establishing the Women’s Decade (1976–1985), and in organizing major international women’s conferences (Mexico City, 1975; Nairobi, 1985; Beijing, 1995), the United Nations helped to weld together the various political and economic goals that women had been voicing across the continent, and beyond.
Indeed, improvement in travel and communication technology meant that issues fundamental to women’s empowerment, such as land rights, access to education, constitutional protection, financial independence, fundraising and political influence, were now being discussed between women from different regions, cultures and political backgrounds, in shared terms. There was growing solidarity, awareness and strength in numbers.