By: Jane Godia

Day 1 of the round table discussions on post-2015 development agenda challenges African women leaders from the continent to speak for their cause collectively and individually and take their governments to account for commitments and budgets.

Noting that it’s no longer business as usual, the women leaders, who are dreaming the dreams of their ancestors, must ensure that they claim spaces in all sectors to transform the continent and their lives to where they want it to be. Women must ensure that they control productive resources to run the economies of Africa.

The principle of feminism is women’s self-determination, and sticking to the feminism is costly. Women must also ensure that leadership and decision-making remains a space that does not leave them out, but must understand that women’s empowerment remains a political statement, and when one fights power, power will fight.