The French government has launched a new programme that aims to strengthen women's civil society organisations.

The Feminist Opportunities Now (NOW) project will help local women's rights groups to become more diverse in addressing and responding to gender-based violence.

It will be implemented in 10 countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Niger in Africa.

During the launch of the project at the French and Somali Embassy in Nairobi, French Ambassador to Kenya, Arnaud Suquet said his government is committed to gender equality.

"In 2021, France hosted the Generation Equality Forum where we committed to establish the Support Fund for Feminist Organisations and their work," he said.

He said that GBV is a hindrance to gender equality which besides being a fundamental human right, is essential to achieving a peaceful society with full human potential and sustainable development.

The project will be financed by the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented by a consortium consisting International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) Africa.

Marie-Evelyn Petrus-Barry, Regional Director of IPPF Africa, said that GBV in all its forms is a human rights violation by international human rights laws.

"As human rights defenders, we must all take a stand and stop these inexcusable acts," she said.

Women's rights groups will be supported through Seven million euro (Sh 950,026,787) sub-grants and organisational development support.

Bertrand Willocquet, Director of AFD in Nairobi, said they want to reach the smallest women's groups that have traditionally had difficulty accessing donor funding.

"It is through them and the endogenous dynamics of civil society that we wish to act to combat GBV on the ground and contribute to the sustainable reduction of gender inequalities," he said.