African Women Leaders Planning for Change
April 24th marked the closing session of the 2-week training program, “African Women’s Leadership in Public Life” supported by ExxonMobil.
I had the good fortune of observing the conclusion of this program at American University in Washington DC.
When I arrived to the campus in mid afternoon, I was greeted by a group of women leaders and 2 aspiring youth who, together, represented every region throughout Africa.
The energy in the room was incredible- one sensed that the participants had forged a strong camaraderie throughout the course of the program. As the session progressed, however, it became apparent that these leaders had established far more than friendships—they had, in fact, been successful in building a collaborative working group dedicated to promoting women’s leadership in public life.
The session began with introductions from Kah Walla, Director of Strategies! who helped lead the program’s training curriculum. Following her introductions, participants-organized by country- shared detailed PowerPoint presentations they created throughout the program, outlining their respective projects designed to promote women’s leadership in public life within their home countries and communities.
As participants addressed their peers and session guests, I was struck by the thoughtful construction of these plans. Not a single detail was left out- each participant gave a commanding account of their project’s objective, goals, deliverables, key tasks, staff support requirements & monetary needs.
Following their presentations, each participant or group of participants opened the floor to questions, comments and suggestions from their peers, trainers and visitors. Not a single presentation went by without a rich flow of comments, constructive criticism- and a congratulatory clap.
A common conviction united these leaders and their message was clear: African women must hold public positions to ensure the protection of women’s rights and the promotion of social progress and other reforms in their countries, communities and throughout the continent.
These leaders seek to increase the number of women in government, to advocate for quotas, to educate and empower women voters, to engage youth in the political process & to support female government officials build their constituencies and effect legislative change. They aspire to conduct training programs for African women and youth, lead media campaigns, launch educational websites, run for office, establish political associations to bring women’s issues to the table, train female civil society leaders with political aspirations and the list goes on…
Furthermore, the women want to accomplish these goals together. Several presentations passed, in which participants would appeal to the expertise of their peers as future consultants and/or trainers in their follow up action plans.
It is overwhelming to witness this kind of collaboration- and becomes a testament for the passion that emerges, the power that is unlocked and the cultural/ generational bridges that are built when women come together to share their dreams and strategize for a better future.
It is with great pride that I saw Vital Voices & ExxonMobil announce their commitment to provide seed grant opportunities to catalyze these women’s action plans. I wait with great anticipation of their work to come.
By Alyson on April 29th 2008 in Africa, General, Political Participation
Vongai Chikwanda responded on 08 May 2008 at 6:26 am #
The African Women’s Leadership in Public Life summit was one with so much energy and full of passion on the issues being discussed. I have never witnessed so much energy, interest and passion on having more women in politics and decision making.
It is with great appreciation that you find an organisation like Vital Voices in partnership with Exxon Mobil finding the need to raise women’s leaders political consciousnesness and to equip African women with the necessary public life skills so that women who want to make it into public life always have a cutting edge. To Vital Voices and Exxon Mobil, this African woman shares the same feeling that investing in women is the right and only way to go.
Women remain an endangered specie in Parliaments all over the world, that is because of the constitent low represenation in such decison making bodies. Yes, numbers do matter, yet there is no commitment from different Heads of Government to ensure equal representation of women in politics and decision making. Parliament remains the highest law making body or institution in any country. It is in this regard that women need to effectively participate and influence policies and decisions at this level. Politics is the right place for a woman. The participation of women in politics and political processes transforms the face and nature of politics. Moreso in Africa, where women hold a transformative role in African politics.
Equal represenation remains a cry and a demand in Africa and all over the world. As they say, development would not be meaningful without the full participation of women. Investing in women is the right way to go. Invest in women and indeed invesy in the world!