Across cultural and geopolitical diversities, 28 vibrant women leaders from 5 African countries, (Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Malawi and South Sudan) are convening in Nairobi, Kenya from 16th to 27th February 2015, for the second residency program of UAF-Africa’s African Women’s Leadership & Mentorship Initiative (AWLMI).
The initiative, launched in 2013, in collaboration with Strathmore Governance Center, Kenya and Coady Institute of St Francis Xavier University, Canada, works to build the capacities of women leaders, who will strengthen their organizations and communities and ultimately contribute to transformational and systemic change for women on the continent. UAF-Africa acknowledges the transitional moments that these countries face, and their need for leadership which consolidates development gains they have made, while being mindful of the challenges such development and transformation can entail. Recognizing the talent and potential of these women leaders, UAF-Africa seeks to develop their abilities to contribute to much needed dialogue on new socio-economic and political systems, structures and realities for Africa and to be acknowledge for their leadership capacities by their institutions, communities and national stakeholders.
This year’s theme will focus on: “Promoting accountable democracies and advocacy training.” The key areas of interest will center around: building an understanding of the concepts of citizenship, governance, and democracy, and how they apply in the context of the participants’ home countries; analyzing African governance and democracy systems and structures from a gender perspective; examining the role and importance of women’s participation in politics; and devising strategies for augmenting women’s participation in Africa politics.
At the culmination of the three-year program, our graduates will have enhanced their self and social awareness to strengthen their transformational and feminist leadership capacity; and will have developed the ability to apply relevant leadership models that build socio-economic and political empowerment, accountability, and political legitimacy into their communities.
