Hurray! Our founder @elishaattai is in Charlotte, North Carolina to officially launch AWLO NC Chapter …
Are you in North Carolina? Or you know anyone in this State ? Please be nice by whispering to her that AWLO is finally in the Neighborhood!! join him, and some global impact leaders on Monday , the 29th of July as we unveil AWLO NORTH CAROLINA CHAPTER in style , details on the flyer.
Our goal is to foster meaningful connections, provide resources and support, and create opportunities for women to thrive in leadership roles across various sectors.
AWLO is not just an organization; it is a movement—a movement towards gender equality, empowerment, and inclusive leadership. Through our programs, initiatives, and partnerships, we aim to break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and create a more equitable world for all.
Congratulations to African Women in Leadership Organisation ( AWLO) Texas Chapter for the successful hosting of AWLO 2024 Diaspora Summit that ended with a glorious Thanksgiving Service at the Christ Purpose International Church , Dallas, Texas , USA.
Themed “Investing in Women; Closing the Representation Gap,” this year’s summit was to unite, empower, and inspire African women living in the diaspora to drive positive change and foster development within their communities. By providing a platform for collaboration, networking, and leadership development, the summit aims to harness the potential of African women globally, bridging gaps and creating opportunities for impactful contributions to the social, economic, and cultural advancement of Africa and the world.
Our founder, Dr. Elisha Attai @elishaattai appreciate all the speakers for making this year’s diaspora summit very impactful, from the strong keynote address by Her Excellency Amb Dr. HE Arikana Chihombori-Quao @arikanachihomboriupdates , to the powerful panel sessions that includes, Dr. Liza Ekole @drlizaekole , Mariam Ally, Fatoumata Diarra @diarrafatoumata , Pastor Mercy Djenebou Bouare, Dr Angela Harris, Amb. Dr Tanya Jones @justmetanyajones , Linda Middleton , Rosemary Akaette , Attorney Emem Akpabio, Dee Burrowes, Dr. Oyinkansola Jinadu and Ify The Dominator (Ify Nkwokedi).
The summit brought together Women in leadership, including elective and appointive office holders, High-level leaders across public institutions, Political leaders, Business leaders, Women professionals and male allies, Third Sector organizations (Academia), religious organizations, youth organization representatives, and the media.
Join AWLO in shaping the future of women’s leadership in Africa and closing the representation gap.
AWLO is a leading organization dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender equality across Africa. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and networking initiatives, AWLO continues to inspire and support women leaders in driving positive change.
As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO), I am filled with immense pride and gratitude. Fifteen years ago, we embarked on a journey to empower women and promote leadership across Africa and its diaspora. Today, we stand tall, having made significant strides in our mission to foster women leadership and achieve gender equality.
AWLO was founded on the belief that women are powerful change-makers. Over the past decade and a half, we have seen this belief come to life in countless ways. From grassroots initiatives to high-level leadership roles, our members have broken barriers and created opportunities for themselves and others. Our impact is visible in the lives we’ve touched, the communities we’ve transformed, and the policies we’ve influenced.
Our commitment to women leadership and gender equality has never wavered. We have organized leadership conferences, mentorship programs, and skill-building workshops that have empowered thousands of women. Our HeForShe champions have stood by us, advocating for gender equality and supporting our initiatives. Together, we have built a network of strong, resilient, and visionary women leaders who are shaping the future of Africa and its diaspora.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members, whose dedication and passion have been the driving force behind our success. To our donors and sponsors, thank you for your unwavering support and belief in our mission. Your contributions have enabled us to expand our reach and deepen our impact. To our mentors, your guidance and wisdom have been invaluable in nurturing the next generation of women leaders.
A special thank you goes to our HeForShe champions, who have stood as allies in our quest for gender equality. Your advocacy and support have been instrumental in challenging stereotypes and creating inclusive spaces for women.
I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to the speakers of the just-concluded 15 Days Leadership Hangout. Your insights, experiences, and words of wisdom have inspired us all and will continue to resonate as we move forward.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also look to the future. The next phase of AWLO will focus on deepening our impact and expanding our reach. We will continue to champion women’s leadership and advocate for gender equality. Our plans include launching new initiatives to support women entrepreneurs, increasing our mentorship programs, and enhancing our advocacy efforts to influence policy changes that benefit women across Africa and the diaspora.
We will also leverage technology to connect and empower more women, ensuring that our programs are accessible to all, regardless of geographical barriers.
In conclusion, the journey of AWLO over the past 15 years has been remarkable, but our work is far from done. Together, we will continue to strive for a world where women’s leadership is recognized, valued, and supported. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Here’s to many more years of empowering women and transforming communities.
Thank you.
Amb. Dr. Elisha Attai, DFAI, CMP Founder/Global President of AWLO.
PREAMBLE: Women represent about half of the total working population, but way fewer than half of the leadership positions for proper representation. There is little attention given to how to properly invest in the education, business and leadership of women, even as we are clear that as we develop the human capital of African women, our economies thrive. The gender disparities in governance and the barriers to entry are reflected in the low numbers of African women leaders represented in governments throughout the continent and beyond. Women’s issues are not fully addressed as African women leaders are not sufficiently represented at the table where big decisions are being made on their behalf.
Furthermore, many African women leaders are leading only in face, but not in voice, along the antiquated social norms of being seen and not heard. The biases that both men and women hold against women in leadership further complicate bridging the representation gap.
The African Women in Leadership Conference-AWLC 2024-was such a timely gathering to address a pivotal theme: “Investing in Women; Closing the Representation Gap.”
Our Chairperson, the first female Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E. Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor together with other highly reputable dignitaries and delegates from all over the world, made this year’s conference very unique and impactful.
The 2024 African Women in Leadership Conference had the following main objectives:
Explore the impact of strategic investments in women’s education, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Raise Awareness: Shed light on the existing gender disparities in governance and the importance of closing the representation gap.
Share Insights: Provide a platform for thought leaders and experts to share insights on the benefits of gender-inclusive governance.
Break Barriers in Leadership: Examine challenges hindering women’s representation in leadership roles.
Propose actionable strategies to eliminate barriers and promote inclusivity.
Develop and Promote Inclusive Policies and Advocacy: Deliberate on the role of policies in creating an inclusive environment.
After several panel discussions and thought-provoking presentations on the state of affairs of African women in leadership, the conference rose with the following recommendations as its resolutions:
To create a safe space for African women in leadership, where they can voice the challenges they have and get support
To challenge the biases that many African women have against other African women in leadership, changing the narrative, through a She-for-She campaign and advocacy
To create programs that develop young African women leaders, for a constant funnel of leaders, who will hold the fort in all arenas of government and business, sustainably
To forge an alliance with an African Women’s caucus, to amplify the voice of African women political leaders, to support these leaders to become better lawmakers and to address and solve the challenges they have as African women lawmakers
To sit with policy makers to develop executable plans that ensure sufficient investment in educating and building the capacity of African women, for leadership; providing access to leadership opportunities for African women; shoring up equal representation of women, on all levels of government and in all Industries; and developing strucures of accountability, to confirm execution of these plans
To develop programs and/or platforms where He-for-She advocates can mentor young men to become He-for-She advocates
To facilitate conversations between African women political and business leaders, to enable them to build synergies
To create an African Women Leadership research institute, for use in addressing challenges and lobbying for equal representation of African women in leadership
CONCLUSION: Investing in women has a profound impact on accelerating progress in our communities, nations and the continent of Africa.
When we invest in women, we invest in the future. We unlock potentials, drive innovations and create opportunities that benefit us all. It is not just about equality; it’s about amplifying voices, breaking barriers, and building a world where everyone can thrive.
In our pursuit of gender equality and inclusive leadership, this conference served as a platform to amplify the voices of women across Africa, celebrate their achievements, and chart a path towards a future where every woman has equal opportunities to lead and thrive.
The discussions, observations and recommendations of this conference will inspire us to drive positive change in our communities and beyond- through initiatives, programs, strategic partnerships and continuous dialogue.
Here are the speakers at the African Women in Leadership Conference 2024 in Accra , Ghana :
Amb. Dr. Tanya Jones
Sika Twum
H.E. Lordina Mahama
Amb. Dr. Frances Virginia Anderson
Nana Yaar Serpong
Anna Yerimah Endouh
Oheneyere Gifty Anti
Dr. Safiya Musa
Montez Alford
Monique Douglas
Hon. Kafilat Ogbara
Ken Eneduwa
Kelly Daniels
Makafui Aikins
Mwangaza Jafari
Abraham Attram
Natalie Fort
Etim Essang
Nannette Atuahene
Vivian Dougblor
Dr. Linus Okorie
Photos
Press Release
The African Women In Leadership Organisation (AWLO) is delighted to announce the forthcoming African Women In Leadership Conference (AWLC), slated to occur from May 16th to 18th, 2024, in Accra, Ghana.
Under the theme “Investing in Women; Bridging the Representation Gap,” this conference represents a significant step forward in enhancing women’s leadership throughout Africa.
The conference aims to establish a platform for advocating women’s leadership and nurturing influential networks among top-tier leaders. AWLC 2024 will also devise a policy framework to enact crucial discussions and elevate the status of women through transformative connections and opportunities.
Featuring dynamic sessions such as Advocacy Dialogue, Intergenerational Dialogue, HeforShe Fireside Chat, Policy Dialogue, Speed Mentoring, Exclusive Closed-Door Session with distinguished leaders, Exhibition, and City Tour.
Distinguished speakers at the conference include Her Royal Highness Princess Dr Moradeun Ogulana, Dr Angela Harris, Anna Yerimah Endouh, Hon Saidu Musa Abdullahi, Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, Dr. Pauline Zitolina, Nannette Atuahene, Ms. Monique Douglas, Maipelo Boitumelo Mophuting, Her Regal Majesty Amb. Dr. Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Montez Alford, Jahzara Agyemang, Ms. Yvonne Ebbi, Mwangaza Jafari, Ken Eneduwa, Ms. Tanya Jones, Dr Safiya Stephanie Musa, Makafui Aikins, Bunmi Sukanmi, Hardi Yakubu, Kelly Daniels, Sika Twum, Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar and the Chairperson, Her Excellency Chief Dr Jewel Howard-Taylor, first female Vice President of the Republic of Liberia.
The conference will convene Women in leadership, including elective and appointive office holders, High-level leaders across public institutions, Political leaders, Business leaders, Women professionals and male allies, Third Sector organizations (Academia), religious organizations, youth organization representatives, and the media.
For registration and further details, please visit www.awlo.africa.
Join AWLO in shaping the trajectory of women’s leadership in Africa and narrowing the representation divide.
AWLO stands as a pioneering organization committed to empowering women and advancing gender equality across Africa. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and networking endeavors, AWLO continues to motivate and assist women leaders in fostering positive transformation.
It is with great pleasure and honor that I welcome you all to the inauguration of the Canada Chapter of the African Women In Leadership Organization (AWLO). Today marks a significant milestone as we expand our mission and vision to empower women across borders and continents.
The Canada Chapter of AWLO represents a new chapter of opportunity and collaboration. As we gather here today, we celebrate the diversity, strength, and potential of women in Canada and Africa. Our goal is to foster meaningful connections, provide resources and support, and create opportunities for women to thrive in leadership roles across various sectors.
AWLO is not just an organization; it is a movement—a movement towards gender equality, empowerment, and inclusive leadership. Through our programs, initiatives, and partnerships, we aim to break barriers, shatter stereotypes, and create a more equitable world for all.
As we embark on this journey together, I urge each one of you to embrace the values of AWLO—integrity, courage, resilience, and collaboration. Let us work hand in hand to uplift and empower women, to build bridges across continents, and to create a brighter future for generations to come.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our esteemed guests and partners for their support, and to all the women and allies who are part of this incredible movement. Together, we can and will make a difference.
Thank you, and let’s continue to inspire, empower, and lead with purpose.
Warm regards,
Dr. Elisha Attai Founder, African Women In Leadership Organization (AWLO)
