By: Ntombi Ginindza

Urgent Action Fund Africa and her partners, including the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa hosted the Women Steering Innovative Leadership in Africa Conference from 9-11 September in the Malawian capital, Lilongwe – bringing together 250 delegates to discuss critical issues such as Africa’s development, feminist leadership for social justice and decision making, and thought leadership and development.

The conference had plenary sessions for major topics and for motivational speakers on selected subjects, as well as side workshops on issues such as bridging feminist theories and practice in leadership in conflict and post-conflict Africa and evolving capacity development for women leaders, and donor roundtables on how to navigate the funding terrain.

At the heart of the conference was the notion of nurturing young feminist leaders who stand for social justice and who bring out the best in others in the struggle for social justice. Iconic leaders from a variety of sectors across Africa engaged young women in intergenerational dialogue and shared feminist and pan African values and principles, leadership journeys, and personal narratives and perspectives on thought leadership development.

source: allafrica