“In its 10 years of existence AWDF successfully created spaces and amplified the voices of African women who work tirelessly for social justice and women’s empowerment.”


Stephen Lewis commissions the AWDF- funded WUAAG multi-purpose centre in Ghana as part of the celebrations, as Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi and VP Joyce Banda look on. Also present at the ceremony was Yvonne Chaka Chaka, top right, with Mrs Banda.


of AWDF, MEMPROW's vision is spelt clearly spelt out: "..to be a Centre of Excel- lence in promoting young women's rights for leadership in all sectors, and to also be a leading voice for the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights; as well as protection against sexual and gender- based violence..."


DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY People with disabilities face numerous challenges in Africa, and it is even worse if you are a woman. In Kampala, Uganda, the AWDF-supported Kaijjansi Disabled Development Group (KDDG) is however, proving that with proper support and de- termination, life can be different. Founded almost 10 years ago by three


disabled women, the KDDG is now an al- most self-sustining, income generating organisation, through various community projects it runs, including brick-making and pottery business. Most of its members are now able to support themselves and their families, financially, through their participation in income- generating activi- ties at the centre, and as a result they are


AWDF Women of Substance AWARDS 2010


Abeka Perez


Young Women Campaign Against AIDS, Kenya Felicia Darkwa


Nana Yaa Memorial Trust for Good Quality Reproductive Health, Ghana Hadijah Kisembo


Disabled Women’s Network and Resource Organisation (DWNRO), Uganda Kafui Adjamgbo-Johnson


Women in Law and Development (WILDAF), Togo Leymah Gbowee


Women Peace and Security Network Africa (WIPSEN-Africa), Liberia Nyoka Agnes Member of Parliament, Sudan Professor Bene Madunagu Girls’ Power Initiative, Nigeria Prudence Mabele


Positive Women’s Network (PWN), South Africa Dr Rose Mensah Kutin Abantu for Development, Ghana


helping to reduce poverty levels in their local communities. Other projects visited on this celebratory tour included Nana Yaa Memorial Trust, run by Women of Substance awardee Felicia Darkwa. With AWDF funding, the trust offers help and advocay for good quality reproductive health, as well as the reduction of ma- ternal mortality. Te celebration pro- gramme also included the commissioning of a multi-purpose reource centre for the AWDF-supported Women United Against Aid in Ghana (WUAAG) in the presence of Malawi's vice president, Joyce Banda, former UN Ambassador for HIV/Aids and strong supporter of the AWDF, Stephen Lewis, South African women's rights activ- ist Yvone Chaka Chaka, and many other high profile personalities.


THE PURPLE BALL SPLENDOUR Aſter ten days of


the project tours, the


celebrations culminated into pomp splen- dour at the anniversary's Purple Ball and dinner at which the Women of Substance Awards ceremony was also held. Te awards are given to some of the AWDF’s grantees and other women in recognition of their courage, perseverance and the enormous role they play in helping trans- form their communities and improving the lives of women and children. Te event took place La Palm Royal Beach hotel, in Accra, Ghana.


WINTER 2011 | NEW AFRICAN WOMAN | 41


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100