Farida Nabourema is a prolific social activist and writer, recently emerging as the unequivocal voice of Togo’s pro-democracy movement. Farida has been a fearless advocate for democracy and human rights in Togo since she was a teenager. Through more than 400 articles written on her blog and other sites, Farida denounces corruption and dictatorship and promotes a form of progressive Pan Africanism. In 2014, Farida published a book in French titled “La Pression de oppression” (The Pressure of Oppression) in which she discussed the different forms of oppression that people face throughout Africa and most particularly in Togo and highlighted the need for youth and women to be politically engaged and fight for democracy.
Farida is also the executive director of the Togolese Civil League, an NGO that promotes democracy and human rights in Togo through civil resistance, civic education, and advocacy. Prior to taking that position, Farida founded the Faure Must Go movement in 2011 at the age of 20 where she organized Togolese youths to stand against the dictatorial regime of the Gnassingbe which has been ruling Togo for over 50 years, making it the oldest military regime in Africa. Faure Must Go has become the slogan for the civil resistance movement in Togo of which Farida is one of the most well-known leaders.
Farida was listed among the 100 Most Reputable People in Africa and the 100 Most Influential Youth in Africa in 2018. Time Magazine listed her among the people keeping the dream of democracy alive. The story of years of activism as a young woman and life in exile was featured in CNN.