Digital Inclusion is imperative to the Women’s economic empowerment and gender equality.
To mark International Women’s Day, African Women In Leadership Organization (AWLO) in collaboration with Voice Aid Association Germany is hosting a High-Level Women Leaders Dialogue.
This dialogue aims to facilitate women’s digital inclusion to advance gender equity and socio-economic development.
The event will feature networking and panel sessions, and engage high level stakeholders such as Diplomats, International NGOs, Technologists, Innovators, Gender Equality Activists, Heads of Organizations and Government leaders.
It’s a new year filled with new possibilities for impact and growth. 2023 is a 365-paged book and for us at African Women In Leadership Organization, we are set to make every page of it count.
Take a look at the Amazing Events of 2023.
AWLO/ Voice Aid Association IWD Women Leaders Dialogue, Berlin, Germany.(March 8)
AWLO International Women Conference, Arusha, Tanzania (July 5-8th)
AWLO International Youth Summit, Abuja, Nigeria (August 12)
Dr. Elisha Attai and his dear wife, Mrs. Eno Attai marked their 50th birthday anniversary on the 15th of December 2022 starting with a family visit to the Akwa Ibom Children’s home in Ikot Ekpene.
The birthday culminated in an exclusive dinner at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene – the first event as the 5-star hotel officially opens for business in Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Elisha Attai, who is also the founder of Africa’s foremost women’s leadership organization – African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO), marked this day along with the organization’s longstanding tradition of welcoming new members – the induction of 34 new members. Dignitaries at the dinner included Pastor Umo Eno; PDP Governorship Candidate for Akwa Ibom State and his wife; Mrs. Patience Umo Eno, Chief Dr. Dele Momodu; Chairman of Ovation Group, Rtn. Emmanuel Bassey; the Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mrs. Florence Umana; the wife of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr & Mrs. Ini Akpabio, and AWLO members and partners globally.
Another eventful moment was the unveiling of the African Women Of Worth (Volume 2) authored by Dr. Attai. A Compendium of 100 Distinguished African Women demonstrating resilience, consistency, and sacrifice, breaking the Bias, and creating the change they want to see in their world. These are names such asâŠdrawn from Politics, Medicine, Fashion, Business, Law, Sports, Energy, Technology, Activism, and all spheres of influence.
The birthday week came to a close with a Thanksgiving Service held on the 18th of December 2022 at the Apostolic Church Ikot Obong Edong, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
Women and girls represent half of the worldâs population and therefore also half of its potential. But, today gender inequality persists everywhere and stagnates social progress. Women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership. Across the globe, and especially in Africa, women and girls perform a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic work. Advancing gender equity is critical to all areas of a healthy society and national economy.
This is why at African Women In Leadership Organization (AWLO), we are committed to empowering women and advancing gender equity.
To this effect, our theme for year 2023 is ‘Promoting Gender Equity For Socio-Economic Development In Africa’.
In 2023, we’ll lend our voices towards changing the negative narrative surrounding gender equality so we can see the desired growth in African Economies.
Join the moving train for 2023 for Equity, Empowerment and Economic advancement.
AWLO 2020 International Youth day Commemoration was a  gathering of young leaders across 15 countries around the world; who are enthusiastic about repositioning, for better, and effective, global engagement and action. It is our hope that this global movement of leadership solutions, sparked up by our conversations, stay with our young leaders. That they will take on positive actions, and be the change in their community. The AWLO Youth Council as a global support system of young leaders, continues to assure support to young female leaders, as they implement and practice the lessons and values from the sessions. The AWLO 2020 International Youth day saw the adoption of action points captured from sessions and seasoned contributions by Dr. Elisha Attai, AWLO Founder, Chief Osasu Igbinedion; Matron/Mentor AWLO Global Youth Council, and Mrs. Maureen Omeibe; Dean AWLO Executive Council. Youth Leaders/Speakers were Ms. Ngwi, Favor, AWLO Cameroon Youth Council President, Ms. Christiana Futela; AWLO Duala Youth Council Coordinator, Ms. Linda Njoku; AWLO Rivers Youth Council Coordinator, Ms. Shadee Keturah; AWLO Sierra Leone Youth Council President. Other keynotes were delivered by Mr. Keorapetse Kalaote, Mrs. Zyna Obasi, Ms. Kadijatu Ahene, AWLO Arizona Chapter Coordinator & Hon. Mrs. Eunice Thomas; Former State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Nigeria. Find here the adopted Action Points of AWLO IYD 2020 and watch sessions on Youtube Ms. Theodora Ayeni AWLO IYD 2020 Host & AWLO Nigeria Youth Council President
The Women Executives and Potential Leaders Symposium is an annual initiative by the African Women In Leadership Organization Cameroon Chapter. To bring together female leaders; to discuss, learn, and share perspectives. Concerning key thematic areas, for the growth of women and female leadership.
The Symposium brought together female leaders from public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The goal was to learn, share and build capacity, to develop innovative strategies for the improvement of female leadership, and build problem-solving skills, and organizational productivity.
The program was led by Mrs. Yenwo Bertha, President of the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO) Cameroon. It is a strategy to reinforce the organizationâs commitment to empowering women and mitigating the challenges of female leadership in Cameroon.
This was further buttressed in deliberation, and the development of a Policy Declaration, on Cameroon Women Leaders’ Innovative Performance in the Public, Private, and Non-profit Sector.
It brought together highly successful and budding female leaders to discuss key issues, in line with women leaders working together, innovation, productivity, and Performance.
It went further to bridge the divide between older successful female leaders and younger female leaders. This is to be achieved through an annual intergenerational mentorship. It will not only to promote intergenerational collaboration but the sustainability of female leadership in Cameroon.
The AWLO Ikot Ekpene Chapter, being moved with compassion concerning the high incidence of rape in surrounding communities, and across Nigeria, took on a rape sensitization tour.
The tour took place on Friday 20th August, 2020 from 10am to 2pm, across communities within Ikot Ekpene Sanatorial District, Akwa Ibom State. From villages in the Ukpom and Ibiaku communities in Ikono, to Ini Local Government Areas.
The mission of the sensitization tour, was to urge participants to âSay No To Rapeâ. Through shedding light, on the harmfulness of rape, pain to victims, and position of the law on sexual violence offence (including life sentence).
Participants included, villagers of all age groups and gender. And sessions were indoors and outdoors â junctions and bustops. Sensitization sessions were on; causes of rape, consequences and effect of rape on victims, experiences of rape victims, and finally rape and the law.
Participants were strongly urged to desist from acts of sexual violence. Mrs Blessing Whenshall who is a Police Officer explained the legal implications of sexual violence. Especially at Ini Local Government Area, known to have high prevalence of rape. The AWLO Ikot Ekpene Chapter team was led by the Coordinator; Mrs. Emem Ukpong, others on her team were the Public Relations Officer; Mary Ekpo, and Mrs. Imaobong Dick.
The feedback from the total of 200 participants in attendance proved the sessions to be enlightening. As they promised to share their experiences, expose acts of sexual violence, and take the message of âSay No To Rapeâ to their churches and community.
At the core, AWLO is advancing the status and leadership of women. And is at the forefront of creating awareness of âwomen’s rights as human rights. Therefore, enabling women to attain their full potential as equal human beings.
The African Womenâs Role in the emerging Global Digital Workforce Workshop, was held on 2nd September 2020.
The workshop was attended by 70 participants from Nigeria, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Saint Kitts, and United States. It was moderated by Selina Bentoom; a Human Capital Development Expert, with Digital Experts; Atai Albert and Richard George from USA, as resource persons.
At the end of the session, some of the adopted solutions were:
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Investment and collaboration.
The African government, private sector, educational sector, and the host of other stakeholders; need to collaborate on investing in infrastructure that is easily available and reliable. This will open up Africa to employment, wealth creation, and growth of the gross domestic product of each African nation.
Work virtualization and remote access
Africa needs adequate, and functional infrastructure to work from home. Policy makers should put in place a flexible system to help women with children undertake learning.
Business Transformation
In order to transform businesses, a basic assessment of business needs must be carried out, to identify the distinctive technological capabilities to be employed to various business units. Africa must run data driven businesses and economy.
Policy-making and Advocacy
There must be aggressive mitigation, advocacy and sensitization to drive technology and digital access. The right policy formulation and environment, and extreme prioritization, will continue to increase access to technology.
The African Women in Leadership Organisation (AWLO) is set to inaugurate the AWLO Ikot Ekepene Chapter on 3rd October 2020, at the Martha Udom Emmanuel Women Development Center Ikot Ekpene.
African Women in Leadership Organisation started as the West African Women in Leadership Conference at Accra Ghana in 2009. It has gained a continent-wide adoption, since the 2010 African Women in Leadership Conference held in Abuja. Where women conferees reached a resolution; to send a strong delegation to the national offices of the political parties, and use the national women rally on 21-22 June 2010 to make a strong point for the enforcement of the 35% Affirmative Action for Women.
In the past 10 years, the organization has continued its womenâs leadership advocacy. Through the bi-annual African Women in Leadership Conference held in Africa and the Diaspora. In 2015, the AWLO Chapters framework began, to provide a structure to reach women locally for leadership development.
As the heartbeat of AWLO, a chapter is a support system- women building networks. The AWLO Founder, Dr. Elisha Attai often recounts the history of AWLO,
âAs I was going about my business of media as a Consultant and Content Producer for Mnet I spotted a rare need for women to be instrumental to each otherâs success, as a means to attain leadership.I looked around me at board meetings and they were only a handful of women. More glaring to me, was the fact that the women who made it through the door were only committed to keeping those behind the door there. I think for once it didnât occur to them that success was a function of building networks and support systems. A habit for the men.â
In addition to providing a support system, AWLO provides members with capacity-building programs, opportunities to take the lead and be the change in their community, and positions women for global relevance. It creates a global bridge to global stakeholders and fosters inclusive decision-making, and actions toward gender equality. As a support system, AWLO serves as the bridge to the next generation with the Youth Council (youth wing of a chapter) as a mechanism for leadership succession planning.
âThe African Women in Leadership Organisation is my legacy, for the womenâ. say AWLO Founder; Dr. Elisha Attai. As he takes a new Chapter to his hometown, Ikot Ekpene, he will be joined by Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel; the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State (Mother of the Day). AWLO Ikot Ekepene Chapter becomes the second in Akwa Ibom State, making it the first State to have two Chapters.
Other dignitaries who will be attending are Mrs. Mfon Usoro; Secretary-General, Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control for West and Central African Union, Guy Murray Bruce; President, Silverbird Group, Lagos, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyen; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Akwa Ibom State.
The global HeforShe Community, of African Women in Leadership Organisation, held its first men-only summit on Building a Value-oriented Family.
The summit which was held on 19th September 2020, had in attendance Heforshe ambassadors from 11 countries. HeforShe is a UN Women Solidarity Movement for Gender equality. AWLO is a UN Global Compact leader committed to promoting the UN Womenâs goals.
The task of child care, discipline and values-development has been, sadly, left mostly to the mothers and nannies, with the fathers concerned mainly with the duty of providing for the financial needs of the home.
â Excerpts from AWLO HeforShe Men-alone International Smmit
The discussion was led by Mr. Mungai Mfi; Leadership and Strategic Management, Cameroon. The panelists were; Deji Adenuga Consultant, DY Relationship Clinic (Dublin), Arc. Ezekiel Nyaetok; DG, Nigeria First Project, Keorapetse Carl Kalaote; Entrepreneur/Speaker/Consultant (South Africa), Mr. Bren Inyang; CEO Ekido Press (Nigeria), Guy Murray-Bruce; President Silverbird Group (Nigeria), Coach Oscar Emetuei; Executive Director Billion Dollar Group (South Africa).
The meeting highlighted the role of the family in shaping progressive culture, and driving values that remove gender barriers.