Communique AWLC Tanzania 2023

This is the official communique of the African Women in Leadership Conference Tanzania Official with resolutions adopted by conferees during sessions on Promoting Gender Equity for Socioeconomic Development led by:

1. Dr. Elisha Attai – Convener and Founder, African Women in Leadership Organisation
2. H. E. Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor – Vice President of Liberia, Keynote Speaker & Board Chair AWLO
3. Prof. P. L. O. Lumumba, Pan-Africanist & Former Director Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission Keynote Speaker
4. Professor Uduak Archibong MBE, Conference Moderator – Professor of Diversity & Pro Vice Chancellor Center for Diversity & Inclusion University of Bradford UK
5. Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Tanzania,.
6. Her Excellency, Nomusa Dube-Ncube – 1st female Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
7. Ms. Nomagugu Simelane, Member of Executive for Health KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa
8. MEC Ms. Nonhlanha Khoza Member of Executive for Social Development KwaZulu-Natal Province South Africa
9. Dr. Eunice Erdoo Ortom, Founder Eunice Spring of Life Foundation & Former First Lady Benue State Nigeria
10. Ambassador Liberata Rutageruka Mulamula (MP) – Member of the Parliament of Tanzania
11. Dr. Betty Kwoko Mgimba – Finance Executive
12. Ms. Lindiwe Rakharebe – CEO Durban International Convention Center
13. Dr. Jayne Onwomere, Group Managing Director PWAN GROUP, NIGERIA
14. Chief Dele Momodu – Journalist & Publisher Ovation International
15. Mr. Aniekpeno Mkpanang – Scholar, Administrator and Public Servant. An Advocate and Facilitator of Gender/HeForShe Dialogue.
16. Mr. Moses Siasia, Chairman/CEO – MOSILO GROUP
17. Senator Prof. Margaret J. Kamar, Deputy Speaker Kenya Senate , Kenya
18. Engineer Lightness Salema, Business Executive and Social Development Specialist
19. Lady Josephine Nwaeze – Managing Director News Engineering (Nig.) Ltd,
20. Zanele Tsambo – International Trade Specialist South Africa
21. Ms. Ekemini Akpakpan, Nonprofit Management Consultant – Moderator & Conference Director
22. Oluchi Emenike – Executive & Brand Communications Specialist
23. Itunnuoluwa Sule – Content Creator
24. Mrs Bertha Yenwo Yiberla – Social Entrepreneur & AWLO Cameroon President
25. Rasheeda Omolade-Sule- AWLO USA President

Resolutions:

1.     That AWLO is extended to grassroots women and the young

Mode of delivery: Deepen AWLO Chapters’ engagement and kick-start AWLO Youth Council HeforShe

2.     That HeforShe community be developed in their understanding of women questions and issues from a compassionate standpoint in order to address the core cultural and institutional structures and frameworks that exclude and marginalise women

Mode of delivery: Kick-start AWLO HeforShe Barber Shops monthly edition, and sign up male heads of organization as allies and part of AWLO’s commitment to the UN Global Compact.

3.     That an environment for positive support is created including empowerment for women to access politics and business as active participants and leaders not mere observers.

Mode of delivery: Draft in HeforShes as sponsors at the business and political levels.

4.    That the empowerment programmes for boys are intensified and extended to enable them grow into complete men that are confident enough in themselves to value women.

Mode of delivery: Deepen AWLO chapters’ engagement and kick-start AWLO Youth Council HeforShe

5.     That women occupying places of authority and male allies should intentionally use their positions of influence to promote/shine women and girls.

Mode of delivery: Sign up male heads of organizations as allies and a commitment to the UN Global Compact.

6.     That the focus of empowering women needs to advance beyond mentoring to sponsorship where women leaders and HeforShe/Male allies use their positions to open doors and actively advocate for their mentees

Mode of delivery: Draft in HeforShes as sponsors at the business and political levels.

7.    That legal frameworks need to be co-produced with relevant allies in a manner that mainstreams women’s issues through gender-transformative and responsive approaches.

Mode of delivery: AWLO to act as co-sponsor and lobbyist at institutional levels in the corporate and political spheres advancing gender mainstreaming and gender diversity.

8.     That the value and moral content of our culture elevates our humanity including the intinisic value of women.

Mode of delivery: Co-design a gender-transformative curriculum for awareness and mindset shifts at the grassroots.

9.    That access to education for the girl child must also emphasise retention including support for their specific needs relating to their biological makeup and the consequences that could arise from childhood mistakes.

Mode of delivery: Chapters as drivers of gender responsive educational programs including pad-a-girl, reproductive health education, menstrual education, and teen moms rehabilitation and reintegration programs.

10.  That lawmakers and workplaces should provide adequate support for women in their maternal roles including childbirth and childcare that ensures they are not excluded or hindered from participation as political and economic actors.

Mode of delivery: AWLO to act as co-sponsor and lobbyist at institutional levels in the corporate and political spheres advancing gender mainstreaming and gender diversity.