While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last. These words by the first female Vice president-elect of the USA, Kamala Harris, in her first post-election address to the nation, is a sign of political victory to women all over the world.
“I believe that fortitude is key. More than anything, be consistent. Go at it. Go at it. Go at it. When you succeed, don’t forget the responsibility of making someone else succeed with you.”
Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., Former Surgeon General of the United States
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning in Ukonga, a dusty neighbourhood in Tanzania’s largest city of Dar es Salaam, and Neema Lucas is glued to her dark computer screen, frequently striking a keyboard as she types a command.
It was a harvest of time-tested strategies, lessons and experiences during the recently held Africa Power Women Conference 2020. The annual event, which is organized by one of the African Leadership U.K. Limited (www.africanleadership.co.uk) publications, Amazons Watch Magazine in collaboration with Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (www.celdng.org), is a gathering of leading African women in business, politics and diplomacy.
By Kingsley Okeke
But for the United States’ opposition to her candidacy, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala would have been named the first African and female to lead the World Trade Organization – WTO. The organization’s effort to name a new leader hit a glitch after the Trump-led administration said it wouldn’t back the appointment of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to be the WTO’s next director-general.
UN Women Liberia recently held a virtual meeting with female candidates vying for seats in the upcoming December 8 senatorial elections, to clarify the support that the organization can provide to all female candidates.
“Think of financial inclusion as a pathway out of poverty and inclusive growth as a path to shared prosperity. The former is transactional. The latter is transformational.” Shamina Singh, President Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
