Call for Nominations: African Union Documenting Stories & Contributions of African Female Leaders

Deadline: June 30, 2021

Nominations are now open to recognize and celebrate exceptional African female leaders in a book. This initiative is aimed at recognizing and celebrating African women and girls in making a difference through demonstrated exceptional leadership at the grassroots or executive positions.

The book aims to create a space for women to share their experiences, triumphs and to send a message of encouragement to the next generation of African women to claim their rightful place in history and create the ‘Africa they want.

Each woman who is featured in this book will have an opportunity to write her own story or upon request, an AU-UN team will assist in the storytelling process for women who seek support.

This initiative makes recognition of the continuous struggle for women across the African continent spanning several centuries, in the pursuit of parity and equal representation of women in leadership positions. In recent years, progress has been recorded as African governments, public and private institutions implement gender-responsive actions and as African women and girls through resilience and commitment, advance their quest to break the barriers and glass ceiling.

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Objectives

The objectives of the book among others are;

• Honour the leadership and achievements of African Women and girls in various sectors and share their leadership experience.
• Document the stories and achievements of women leaders and inspire African girls and women to see beyond the existing structural barriers and assure them that they can thrive in their chosen field.
• Provide the evidence that Africa can prosper, be peaceful and integrated if it leverages on the potential of its women and girls. In so doing,
• Mobilize stakeholders to create an enabling environment and support female leaders and their initiatives.

This initiative is led by the African Union Commission, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, in collaboration with the United Nations through its agencies; the UN Women, UNFPA and UNHCR. It is also aligned with the International Women’s Day 2021 celebrations held under the theme “women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

Eligibility For Nomination 

• Nominees must be female citizens of African Union Member States. There is no age limit, the book will document the achievements of young and seasoned leaders across generations.
• Nominees will be women and girl leaders from Africa that have demonstrated dedication, commitment and passion to their cause and made an impact in the following fields:
  • Finance, social mobilization, Governance, law, Peace and Security and Human Rights
  • Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, and Entrepreneurship
  • Creative industries (arts, culture, heritage, literature) and Sports
  • Health in general and women’s and adolescent health specifically.
  • Humanitarian action, philanthropy,
  • Gender issues: gender equality and empowerment of women, GBV, SGBV and protection of women and girls
  • Social sciences, humanities
  • Science, Technology and Innovation, Engineering and Mathematics
  • Education
  • Environment and climate change
  • Infrastructure and Energy

Application

The nomination call will be open till Wednesday, 30 June 2021 17:00 EAT. Due to the expected large number of applications, only successful nominees will be contacted after the selection process is finalized.

To apply, download the forms using the link and complete them. All forms should be submitted to [email protected].

For further information, contact;

Jeanne Flora Kayitesi | Programme Officer | Women, Gender and Development Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail [email protected]

Ms. Doreen Apollos | Communication | Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission | E-mail [email protected]

You can also visit the African Union page.