By Blossom Ukoha “Today, I speak not as a woman who is a lawyer, I speak as a lawyer who happens to be a woman. I am proud of us.” Those words capture the professional identity of Charlyne Mnamah-Mar Brumskine, a Liberian lawyer whose career has now taken her into one of West Africa’s most important judicial institutions. Brumskine has made history as the first Liberian woman appointed as a Judge of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, beginning a term that will run from 2026 to 2030. Her appointment represents a significant milestone for Liberia and for women’s representation within regional judicial leadership. A Historic Seat at the Regional Bench The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice serves as the judicial organ of the Economic Community of West African States, handling matters involving member states, community institutions and human rights issues within the region. Brumskine joins the Court at a time…
Ahunna Eziakonwa: The Nigerian Woman Taking Africa’s Voice to the UN’s Top Table
By Blossom Ukoha “Africa is shaped like a question mark, but it has the answer the world is looking for.” For Ahunna Eziakonwa, Africa is not a continent waiting for its moment. It is a continent already shaping the future and that conviction now sits at the heart of her new role at the United Nations. The Nigerian career UN official has assumed office as Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on Africa to the UN Secretary-General, becoming one of the most influential African voices within the United Nations system. Appointed by Secretary-General António Guterres, Eziakonwa succeeded Cristina Duarte of Cabo Verde, bringing nearly three decades of experience in humanitarian affairs, development, governance and international cooperation to the position. From Nigeria to the World Stage Eziakonwa’s journey began in Nigeria, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Pedagogy, English and Literary Studies from the University of Benin. She later moved to the…
Destry Damayanti: The Woman Making History at Bank Indonesia
By Blossom Ukoha “I swear that I will carry out the duties and obligations of the BI Governor to the best of my ability and full of responsibility.” With those words, Destry Damayanti accepted the responsibility of leading Indonesia’s central bank—and, in doing so, made history as the first woman to serve as Governor of Bank Indonesia. Sworn into office in Jakarta on 2 September 2026 for the 2026–2031 term, she became the 17th Governor of the institution, bringing with her more than three decades of experience across economics, banking, capital markets, public policy, financial regulation and central banking. A Historic Oath, A New Era Destry’s appointment is significant not simply because she is the first woman to occupy the position, but because of the institution she now leads. Bank Indonesia sits at the centre of Indonesia’s economic architecture, with responsibility for monetary policy, financial stability and the resilience of the…
South Korea’s Wellness Boom: What Women Can Learn from the New Health Culture
By Janet Coin On a weekday morning in Seoul, a young professional finishes a Pilates session before heading to work. Later that evening, she stops at a wellness store for a functional drink and a product designed around a specific health need. Before bed, she sets aside her phone and prepares for sleep. None of these actions feels unusual. They are simply part of her routine. This is the changing face of wellness in South Korea. The country that introduced the world to K-beauty is moving beyond skincare and cosmetics towards a broader culture of wellbeing. Beauty remains important, but it increasingly sits alongside nutrition, fitness, mental health, sleep, preventive care and recovery. For Korean women, particularly younger women and working professionals, wellness is becoming less about occasional pampering and more about maintaining the whole self. From K-Beauty to K-Wellness South Korea’s global beauty influence has long been associated with…
From Marrakech to Modern Homes: The Moroccan Design Elements Taking Over Interiors
Laura Jones Step into a traditional riad in Marrakech and the first thing you notice is not how much furniture fills the space, but how effortlessly everything feels connected. Sunlight filters through an arched doorway, patterned tiles catch the light, a brass lantern creates a warm glow, and handmade textiles bring softness to the room. Nothing feels rushed or overly polished. The beauty comes from the balance between craftsmanship, texture, colour and simplicity. That distinctive atmosphere is increasingly finding its way into modern homes around the world. Moroccan design, rooted in centuries of craftsmanship and cultural exchange, is being reinterpreted for contemporary interiors that value warmth, character and authenticity. Why Moroccan Design Remains Timeless Moroccan interiors have never depended on passing trends. Their appeal comes from traditional materials, handmade details and a strong relationship between architecture and everyday living. From Marrakech riads to homes in Casablanca and Fez, Moroccan design…
A Spotlight on the Kenyan Women You Don’t See on the Front Page
By Blossom Ukoha What if the most important stories about Kenyan women are not the ones making tomorrow morning’s headlines? Open a Kenyan newspaper and the familiar names are easy to find: politicians, business leaders, celebrities and the personalities at the centre of the latest national controversy. But beyond the political drama and celebrity spotlight, thousands of Kenyan women are doing work that may never become front-page news—developing health research, protecting wildlife, responding to climate change, building technology, advancing disability inclusion and strengthening communities. Their influence is often quiet, but its consequences are not. From laboratories and farms to classrooms, rangelands and policy rooms, these women are helping solve some of Kenya’s most difficult problems. They may not dominate the headlines, but they are helping shape the country Kenya will become. Women Changing the Conversation Around Science At the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kilifi, Prof. Dorcas Kamuya has built…
Arunma Oteh: The Woman Who Sat at the World Bank’s Top Table
By Blossom Ukoha On 23 January 2025, Arunma Oteh stood at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, to launch All Hands on Deck, the book she wrote about how world-class capital markets can help nations, companies and individuals create lasting prosperity. The occasion was part of a two-day celebration of her 60th birthday, which she marked on 24 January. It was a fitting setting for a woman whose career has been defined by capital, institutions and economic development. From Nigeria’s financial markets to the African Development Bank, from the Securities and Exchange Commission to the World Bank Treasury, Oteh has spent decades operating at some of the most consequential levels of African and international finance. Yet her journey to those rooms began without a powerful title. It began with a young Nigerian woman choosing computer science at a time when relatively few women were entering the field and developing the…