Strengthening Feminist and Transformational leadership for a just and secure Africa
AWLI alumni in political service reconnect to envision the next level feminist leadership
Since 1997, over 8000 women have gone through the African Women’s Leadership Institute(AWLI), going on to carry forward the feminist agenda into decision making spaces to bring about transformative change. On the 21st of April, Ugandan AWLI alumni in political leadership positions from different cohorts of the AWLI met for a high level breakfast meeting […]
After AWLI, My Political Dreams No Longer Scare Me!
“It is not in my nature to take the backseat and watch life drift by. AWLI was a mind-transforming experience that validated who I am. I learned so much about Transformational leadership and the principles of feminist Leadership and advocacy and I have carried that knowledge with me every day.” Ayikoru Patience Poni is a […]
The African Women’s Leadership Institute has strengthened my advocacy skills in Sexual Reproductive Health Rights
My name is Tumuhaise Phionah and attending the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) African Women Leadership Institute (AWLI) from March to April 2021 has done great for my life. The SRHR AWLI launched me into a scholarship opportunity to study for my Master’s at the School of Women and Gender studies at Makerere […]
Advancing to New Horizons after the African Women’s Leadership Institute
The opportunity to attend the African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI) marked a fresh journey for me. It was definitely different from all the other trainings I have been a part of before. The first session we held on body and mind centered nourishment drew me closer to the beauty of nature which seemed usual but […]
Agnes Nasirumbi – Aspiring Woman Member of Parliament for Persons with Disabilities
Tell us about yourself and what you do. I am a Ugandan professional accountant who practiced for 16 years before founding the Nasirumbi Foundation, a non-profit organization seeking to transform the lives of people with disabilities in Uganda. I do this work through promoting initiatives that improve the quality of life […]
The African Women’s Leadership Institute has awakened the power within me.
Earlier this year, I went through some tough moments that partly led me to a place of deep self-doubt. I became very vulnerable and dependent on a friend for my sustenance. So on a very hot afternoon, as I sipped on a glass of pot water that tasted like heaven, my mind was buzzing with […]
COVID-19 Chronicles: Life in the clutches of a global pandemic
We are featuring human centered stories, poems and critical analyses on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected alumnae of our African Women’s Leadership Institute. We encourage you to explore a diversity of topics including but not limited to; the economy, sexual and reproductive health and rights, mental health, violence in the private and public sphere, […]
Struggling With Anxiety and Finding Purpose During COVID-19
“…asking for help is strength, courage, and stoic determination to rise above our fears and weaknesses and bounce back better and tougher.” The Nightmare It is a few months into the raging global pandemic and we all seem to be more accepting of this new situation we find ourselves in and the impact it has […]
The AWLI Equipped Me With Leadership Skills – Susan Aciro
In high school, Susan always wished for girls to participate in leadership processes and influence decision making but the boys would not give them a chance, and male teachers did not make it any easier. She wanted to make sure that the girls had equal space and influence so she joined the high school top […]
Advancing Girls’ Rights in Tanzania: The AWLI Strengthened My Foundation – Lydia Wilbard
Having grown up in Bukoba rural district in Kagera region bordering Uganda, Lydia Wilbard is the current National Director at the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in Tanzania. She is also a founding member of the Visionary Women Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) and a Vice Chairperson of the Tanzania Education Network – TenMet. […]
The AWLI Gave Me The Freedom and Courage to Pursue a Career That I Was Passionate About
Ashanut Okille is a lawyer and development practitioner with over fifteen years’ experience of supporting interventions that promote human rights, governance, gender equality, and institutional/organizational strengthening in Africa. Ashanut holds an LL.M, and is trained in Organization Development (OD), which gives her the unique ability to have both a sound understanding of the content of […]
The AWLI: Memories of an Invincible Sisterhood Created
Not only is she an advocate and policy advisor on trade, governance, and development issues in Africa, she is also passionate about changing Africa’s narrative and empowering young women to lead. Allen Sophia Asiimwe runs a regional consultancy firm- AVID Development Ltd (www.aviddevelopment.org); and is the co-founder of a global mentoring programme – Girls for […]
What you learn at the African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI), you never learn at any school
Likening herself to an elephant because of its excellent memory and ability to create strong bonds with fellow elephants, Nyambura Gathumbi is a Feminist activist and alumna of the African Women’s Leadership Institute (AWLI), with extensive knowledge in women’s right advocacy, with specific focus on issues of marginalized groups. She is one of the founders […]
The Journey of Feminism is Special and Every Woman Must Live It – Mabel Imali Isolio
“Sisterhood is important because after AWLI, I realized that nobody can work alone and achieve much. And as my grandmother once told me “one thumb can’t kill a mouse”. As women, we need sisterhood to create change. We must work together and support each other.”
The AWLI Awakened My Passion for Feminist Leadership and Feminism Ideology – Dinah Musindarwezo
In this Alumna of the Month feature, we bring you Ms. Dinah Musindarwezo, an international consultant, a member of AWID and former Executive Director of The African Women’s Development and Communication Network – FEMNET. Dinah tells of her feminist leadership journey, how the AWLI enhanced her knowledge and how she has used this to challenge the […]
FLORENCE BAINGANA – UGANDA
I was the National Mental Health Coordinator, Ministry of Health in Uganda during AWLI. I was also working at ACFODE, Association of Uganda Women Medical Doctors, and Hope After Rape. At that time, I had an (MB CH B) with a Masters in (MMed Psychiatry). Since AWLI I have changed professionally and personally. I am […]
A FEMINIST LAWYER COMMITTED TO JUSTICE
Describing herself I am Christine Adokorach, 33 years old; I am also a mother of one son and two daughters. I am a Lawyer by profession and I define myself as a feminist. Qualities that define me as an African woman of strength. There are many qualities that define me as an African woman of […]
Walking the Feminist Talk: Contributing to the Domestication of the Maputo Protocol In Sierra Leone-Ms.Valerie Tucker
Ms.Valerie Tucker, an African Feminist, Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Activist, former Country Director of IPAS, Sierra Leone and alumna of the African Women leadership Institute (AWLI). Valerie narrates how she, together with other women got the government of Sierra Leone to pass the Safe Abortion Bill through parliament aimed at decriminalizing abortion following the […]
The AWLI – Where Life-Long Lessons Were Engraved on My Heart
Yet again, Akina Mama wa Afrika with great pleasure shares with you the leadership journey of another distinguished alumna of the African Women Leadership Institute (AWLI), Ms. Khadija Dorra Esseghairi. Her passion and contribution towards the promotion of gender equality in Africa, truly demonstrates the power in transforming individuals for greater impact. Meet March’s alumna of the month! Kindly tell […]