Notes on the cage-free movement in Africa  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

The Humane League

a group of three yellow chicks sitting among eggs

Hi,

When I began volunteering for animal welfare causes (not so long ago!), chicken welfare was nearly unheard of in my country and in the continent at large. For countless animals born into lives of misery in packed cages, there was seemingly no end in sight.

Until the Open Wing Alliance.

I mean it when I say: the Open Wing Alliance has been a beacon of light for egg-laying hens in Africa.

I’m Aurelia, the Open Wing Alliance’s Africa Lead. I’ve seen firsthand that, for the first time ever, the cage-free movement in Africa is being taken seriously.

It’s been my privilege and delight to welcome new member groups across 12 different countries—and watch them secure massive cage-free wins for animals. Already, we’re making so much progress for hens that our main priority is ensuring our growth is sustainable for years to come.

Because ending cages across Africa won’t be easy. The continent faces unique challenges, one being the import of used battery cages from other nations—a major equity issue. This is one of the awful aspects of factory farming: that even if we eradicate cages from one country, they might be resold to another.

That’s why it’s crucial that we all work together, around the world, to make sure that cages don’t just get redistributed—they get eliminated, once and for all. 

One day, I hope to see animal welfare—especially the wellbeing of chickens—become a mainstream social justice issue, just like climate change. And I know we can do it. I remember fondly how, during the 2019 OWA Africa summit, we were very few members in attendance. This July, for the 2024 OWA Africa summit, we expect more than 50 attendees.

The work hasn’t been easy, and there’s much to be done. But, looking at the progress we’ve achieved so far, I find myself understanding that anything is possible.

Thank you for believing that too.

For the animals,

Aurelia Adhiambo Aurelia Adhiambo
OWA Africa Lead