Initiative Africa – Newsletter-Vol-8-March2021

Ashagari consultancy in Partnership with Initiative Africa (IA) and other organizations held women’s Leadership Conference on the theme ‘Beyond Political Quota Commercial’ at UNCEA on March 31-2021. Leaders and Representatives from Governmental organization, private sectors and CSOs attended the conference. The conference was opened by a welcoming speech by W/o Mekides Gebireweld, the founder and Managing Director of Ashagari Consultancy. 

Following that  Wz.Aster Tilahun from ARDAN, her speech was focused on RED CARD for violence and discrimination against women and girls, which was an interesting topic in the conference. 

Other speckers from different organizations take the stage and presented their speechs on different topics: to recall a few  

Unconscious Gender Bias and Women’s Leadership by Dr. Azeb -psychiatrist 

Embracing Change Together by Mrs Saskia Kioezeman –Consultant and 

Learn -Live -Lead: Leadership tool to expand influence by Wz. Mekdes Gebrewold 

The participants were actively forwarding their questions and suggestions following each speakers and ideas raised which enriched the discussion. 

These types of conferences won’t be the last as Ashagari Women and IA are in partnership to make it an annual event.  

Women’s empowerment can be defined to promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change for themselves and others.

It is closely aligned with female empowerment – a fundamental human right that’s also key to achieving a more peaceful, prosperous world.

In Western countries, female empowerment is often associated with specific phases of the women’s rights movement in history. This movement tends to be split into three waves, the first beginning in the 19^th and early 20^th century where suffrage was a key feature. The second wave of the 1960s included the sexual revolution and the role of women in society. Third wave feminism is often seen as beginning in the 1990s.

Women’s empowerment and promoting women’s rights have emerged as a part of a major global movement and is continuing to break new ground in recent years. Days like International Women’s Empowerment Day are also gaining momentum.

But despite a great deal of progress, women and girls continue to face discrimination and violence in every part of the world.

source World Vision

• Create laws and enforce existing laws that protect women from discrimination and violence, including rape, beatings, verbal abuse, mutilation, torture, “honor” killings and trafficking.
• Educate community members on their responsibilities under international and national human rights laws.
• Promote the peaceful resolution of disputes by including the perspectives of women and girls.
• Strengthen women’s ability to earn money and support their households by providing skills training for women.
• Sensitize the public to the disadvantages of early and forced child marriages.
• Highlight the value of girls’ education and of women’s participation in economic development.
• Encourage women to participate in the political process and educate the public about the value of women’s votes.
• Raise public awareness of the poor conditions some women face, particularly in rural areas.   Source
  Young African Leaders Initiative