MONROVIA: Former Malawi President Joyce Banda has attributed the low increase of Women leadership in African to limited access to education, low empowerment and lack of adequate funding.
Joyce Banda said decision makers in Africa must craft programs of empowerment for women and girls desiring of holding high profile leadership positions on the continent.
The former President of Malawi spoke Wednesday, October 17,2018, when she served as guest speaker at the commencement of a three day International SHEROES forum in Monrovia.
Madam Banda described the ongoing conference as a driving force of change in Africa through advocacy for women in leadership.
She also urged women in Africa to monster the courage in their quest for gender equality, while expressing the need to strengthen network to advance women’s participation in decision making processes.
“Why we are surrounded by several challenges confronting our fight for equality in political leadership, we must remain collaborative and network for our own growth, she said”
Madam Joyce Banda however descended on the press, stating that negative media coverage is drastically impeding the political lifestyle of women in Africa.
She said there is a need for better media strategy that will promote the ambition and promotion of women in leadership.
For her part, the former vice president of Zimbabwe Joyce Mujuru called for the support of men in women’s leadership.
Madam Mujuru said successful men of Africa must give women the opportunity to political leadership across the continent.
The former Vice President of Zimbabwe however encouraged women to remain forceful in achieving equal participation in governance.
” It is important to note that women can achieve better if they are giving the chance to prove themselves. We the women need chance to provide political leadership in Africa and there would be no doubt in our services, she said”
Also speaking at the program, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has stressed the need for adoption of practical actions aimed at addressing challenges confronting women in Africa.
Madam Sirleaf described the gathering as a wakeup call to women leaders, including stake actors towards achieving equal opportunity for women.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf maintained that women in Africa can now boast of foundation for democracy, economic development and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the 2017 recipient of the International SHEROES award, Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor has expressed sadness over the low number of female in leadership in Africa.
While calling on women to remain bold and fearless in the fight for gender equality, VP Howard Taylor cautioned women in Liberia to consider challenges as inspiration to transcend into positive achievements.
The Vice President extended profound gratitude to President Weah for including women in high profile positions within the CDC-led government.
VP Taylor further promised her institution’s commitment to advancing women empowerment and improve business operations in Liberia and the African continent.
