1st AWLN Inter- Generational Retreat on Leadership in Africa, 16th-18th August 2019, Nairobi, Kenya
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) and the AWLN Young Women Leaders Caucus with the Office of the African Union Youth Envoy (OYE) held the first African Women Leaders Network Inter-Generational Retreat on Leadership in Africa with the theme: Women Leadership in Africa: “Building the Africa We Want Together”. This retreat was in partial fulfillment of AWLN’s pledge to the African Union Commission’s 1 Million by 2021 Initiative, which committed to building capacities of young leaders on civic leadership from community to continental level.
This important event was convened by H.E. Ms. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Former President of the Republic of Liberia and Patron of the AWLN), and hosted by H.E. Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, (President of the Republic of Kenya and UNICEF Global Champion for Youth Empowerment), with the support of AWLN Champions H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat (Chairperson of the African Union Commission) and of H.E. Mr. Antonio Guterres (Secretary-General of the United Nations), in Nairobi, Kenya on 16th – 18th August, 2019.
The main objective was to ensure strong women’s leadership across generations, driven by principles and values that advance the delivery of commitments made for Africa’s transformation.
Expectations from the retreat and Insight into Women Leadership in Africa
The three day program kicked off with an energetic conversation with the young women’s caucus on their expectations of an inter generational dialogue. Young leaders emphasized the need for more spaces that allow them to learn and share experiences with senior women. They called for a solidarity of women and a conscious opening of spaces and networks.
In addition, the participants explored the meaning of African women leadership and the unique attributes that give power to being a woman leader. Here are some of the reflections from that session:
“Leadership is about building a team. There is no I, it is about being able to mentor others and keep pushing forward.”
“Leadership is about authenticity which comes from the community you are part of and the community you serve.”
Participants
Riya from South Sudan shared her reflections based on the shift in perception she had gotten from the recent events she witnessed in her country: “Leadership, today, is about hope and about focusing on goals, and being radical while fulfilling those goals.”
Opening Ceremony; Presidential Commitment by H.E Mr. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta
At the opening ceremony of the AWLN Retreat, participants had a chance to listen to words of wisdom from H.E President Uhuru Kenyatta (State House Kenya), H.E Amina J Mohammed (Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations), H.E Dr Joyce Banda (Former President of Malawi), Madame Bineta Diop (Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on Women Peace and Security) and Dr. Joannie Bewa (on behalf of the AWLN Young Women Leaders caucus).
H.E. Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, who is a global youth champion, highlighted the AUC’s 1 Million by 2021 Initiative as a key enabler for the empowerment of young women leaders, and underscored the importance of engaging continental leaders to accelerate the work of the African Union Commission’s youth agenda.
He noted strides made in gender equality on the continent, and advocated for greater efforts to push progress. President Kenyatta is a staunch advocate for youth development and had recently committed to organize together with the Office of the AU Youth Envoy (OYE), a youth convening in December 2019 in Kenya in order for youth to have conversations that matter to them and take their legitimate demands and solutions to the African Union Summit 2020.
Indaba Circles; Intimate sharing of experiences
Following the opening, the Indaba Circles took place— an intimate space that allowed participants, senior and emerging women leaders to dialogue safely on their life experiences, what makes them unique, and what strengthens their commitment to the causes they have committed their lives to serving.
inner and Conversation: Continuities in African Women’s Leadership- Setting Priorities
A conversational dinner was organised with the objectives of diving deeper into framing the expectations of the intergenerational retreat, outlining historical, contemporary and future priorities for African women leadership, as well as revisiting the purpose and the need for AWLN chapters within various African circles.
During the dinner, the AU Youth Envoy, Ms. Aya Chebbi sparked conversations on intergenerational dialogue, by advocating for three necessary roadmap pillars: Our Co-leadership, Our Pan-Africanism, and Our Value. The intergenerational retreat, in her words, could be the start of a relationship between senior leaders and emerging young leaders — an opportunity to break the barriers of languages and hierarchical structures, and understand the humanistic experiences of each and every woman leader.
Ms. Aya Chebbi, further shared reflections and questions:
“If we are all here it means we all believe that these spaces are necessary and impactful we now have to articulate what does generational co-leadership actually mean, what are the commitments it will take working together, sharing ideas, coaching and mentoring. And how do we make sure these conversations and spaces are everywhere in Africa that this is not the only one. In all conference we attend, there should be a space like this because it’s empowering and nurturing.”
Read the full speech here
Plenary Session: Women’s Leadership for Africa’s Transformation in the 21st Century
The second day of the retreat began with an engaging conversation with top women leaders in Africa, focusing on their respective leadership journeys, transformational leadership, and current leadership trends, challenges and opportunities. The panelists were: H.E. Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, H.E. Catherine Samba Panza, former President of Central African Republic, H.E. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius, Ms. Deborah Nyamugabo Nsimire, Political leader, DRC, Ms. Rethabile Sereba, HIV response Adolescent leader.
H.E. Joyce Banda spoke of her focus on women’s empowerment, and her work with rural women in her community before becoming President. She encouraged all the women present to carve out a mission statement for themselves, and underscored the importance of financial resources and information as tools for empowerment.
H.E. Catherine Samba Panza spoke on how she began her leadership journey through civil society engagement, and how working with women at the grassroots level in her country through empowerment initiatives propelled her into politics up until the highest office of the Presidency. She further underscored solidarity among women as a powerful tool to achieving their goals.
Talking as we Walk – Finding common grounds & Objectives
Senior and young women leaders were paired and put into groups to engage in a more spontaneous and relaxed conversation on their various leadership journeys. Some walked, while others found comfort under the trees or on the grass. Moreover, the aim of this activity was to allow for more comfortable and honest exchanges on mentoring, and how it can be leveraged to benefit the mentor and the mentee.
Barazzas
Barazzas were a fun and engaging host/guest session in which participants were divided across tables where one senior and one emerging leader led the discussion. In these intimate groups, participants were encouraged to state what their expectations from a mentorship relationship were, while senior leaders presented a variety of examples on mentoring purpose, approaches, what has worked and also areas for innovation.
Conversations at these tables further discussed the formation of a mentorship framework which would focus on leadership, work-life balance, opportunities and lessons.
The session wrapped up with words of wisdom from Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General who reaffirmed AWLN’s commitment to mentoring a generation of intentional leaders, and charged her peers to walk the talk towards building capacity in young women leaders.
Young Women’s Caucus: Refining our Roadmap
The AWLN Young Women’s Caucus continued the conversations, this time reflecting on what had been spoken about, as well as creating a roadmap for future engagement.
Key actions to be taken by the network were discussed and include: scaling up and supporting the leadership of young women in the current landscape, leveraging AWLN women in high places to create opportunities for women, including marginalized and under-served young women; engaging ‘He for She’ in governance and politics for advocacy purposes, as well as peer-to-peer support through creating safe spaces for each other and other women in leadership positions.
Closing
The retreat ended with a session that discussed the reflections from all the conversations held and the outcomes of the retreat. Some key resolutions made, include commitments to strengthen women participation within the network and in civic, political and social processes across Africa, as well as a commitment towards intergenerational mentorship to support young women within the network.
“The Africa we want is achievable! Dialogue across generations of African women represents a vital role in this process. Women shaping Africa are ready and onboard with pushing for this dream. They will continue to support co-leadership and mentorship in their institutions and spaces and I am honoured to be a part of this revolutionary movement. Let’s shake things up!”
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