From 12th-14th May 2022, Engage Empower Educate Initiative Hosted the 3rd edition of the African women’s Summit in Kigali, Rwanda (The land of a thousand Hills) at Kigali Marriot Hotel, Rwanda.
The event brought together dignitaries such as the First Lady of Nigeria; Her Excellency Aisha Buhari who was ably represented by Amb. Aishatu Aliyu Musa the Nigerian Ambassador to Rwanda, The Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the National Revenue Authority Sierra Leon; Dr. Mrs. Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, The First Lady of Benue state; H.E Dr. Eunice Ortom Samuel, First lady of Bauchi State; H.E Hajiya Dr. Aisha Bala Mohammed, The Manager of Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) at African Development Bank; Marieme Esther Dassanou, and Former African Union Youth Envoy; Aya Chebbi.
The summit convened over 30 global and experienced speakers across various sectors in Africa to discuss the theme for the summit “Examining the Critical Role Women Play as Agent of Peace and Sustainable Development” across various keynote addresses, panel sessions, impact sessions, fireside chats, paper presentations, and goodwill messages.
In her goodwill message, the First Lady of Nigeria H.E Aisha Buhari who was ably represented by the Nigeria Ambassador to Rwanda highlighted the economic participation ranking of Rwanda as the 7th country globally and 2nd country in Africa bridging the gender gap.
Dr. Mrs. Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara in her goodwill message “Highlighted the progress Sierra Leone has made in relation to gender bill and stated that soon the bill for the minimum of 30% women representation in parliament will be implemented”. She also expressed her hope that the organizers of the African women summit would be able to draw a very serious agenda based on emerging changes women face in society and believes with the strength and support of positive men, like the founder of COWAP Africans can achieve what over 200 years will seem impossible to achieve.
The convener of the summit Amb. Belema Meshack Hart in his welcome address stated that women can change the status of their life and the African continent because they are blessed with so much and if they put to use all resources at their disposal women will take Africa to our Eldorado.
The summit brought together Over 300 delegates from Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Canada, Namibia, and Rwanda to discuss critical and pressing issues around our peace and development.
The two-day summit ended with an award and dinner night where women who were actively involved in development work in their home countries across Ending hunger, ending poverty, promoting girl child education, and peace and justice were recognized and awarded.