Rwanda has unveiled the African Academy for Women in Political Leadership in the country’s capital, Kigali, with an inaugural cohort of 40 women from Africa and the Caribbean.
The academy was inaugurated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission and the African Women Leaders Network, in partnership with the African School of Governance (ASG).
The first cohort includes ministers, legislators, mayors, and party leaders, according to the ASG, one of the event organisers.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Jide Okeke, Director of the Regional Programme for Africa at UNDP, said true leadership was measured by how far individuals advance, and how many women they empower.
Former African Union special envoy on Women, Peace and Security Bineta Diop, said Africa has never lacked capable women leaders.
According to her, what has often been missing is an ecosystem that intentionally prepares mentors, accompanies, and supports women throughout their leadership journey.
She added that the academy was a continental platform to equip, mentor, and accompany Africa’s next generation of women leaders, building the partnerships, sisterhood and support systems.
This, she said, needed to strengthen governance, advance peace, and accelerate sustainable development across the continent.
The academy’s participants will engage with modules, including political leadership and governance, strategic communications, coalition-building, legislative processes, campaign financing, and ethical leadership.
The programme duration is four-week blended combining virtual learning modules with a residential convening.
Learners have been selected through a merit-based, open nomination process.(Xinhua/NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Mark Longyen