African Women’s Day is observed annually across the continent on 31 July. It is a day earmarked to recognise and affirm the role of women’s organising in achieving the political freedom of Africa and advancing the social and economic status of women on the continent.
African Women’s Day was proclaimed as a day to be commemorated during the first conference of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO) which was held in July 1962 in Dar es Salaam Tanganyika (now known as Tanzania).
African Women’s Day offers a national, continental and global opportunity to recall and affirm the significant role of African women in the evolution of Pan-African identity, with shared values, objectives and vision for the future, as well as women being key contributors towards achieving Africa’s inclusive growth and sustainable development agenda anchored in the AU vision of an integrated prosperous and peaceful Africa.
In her statement to commemorate the day, the G100-MAC Global Chair from Nigeria, Dr Alex Okoroji said…
“African women are strong, talented, dynamic, innovative and brilliant despite the barriers we face. I’m happy that as we continue expanding our G100 Media Arts & Communication wing in 100 countries, we have some amazing African women leading their countries and specific council domains towards achieving our unified and collective vision for gender equality and the social & economic growth of women.
This is a day to celebrate African Women and women of African descent in the diaspora, our immense achievements and contributions and recognise the importance of building our sistership and solidarity across every corner of our continent and beyond. A day to celebrate and honour the achievements of Africa's women - our heroines and sheroes, our leaders, pioneers, creatives, and activists who continue to contribute to family, society, development and unity in Africa and the world.
In the G100 Media Arts and Communication wing, we will continue to act as the megaphone, vocal champions, cheerleaders and amplifiers of women's achievement and impact in our sector and beyond. We will continue to tell the fantastic stories of women and foster better presentation and representation of women globally. - Dr Alex Okoroji
On this 60th Anniversary of Pan African Women’s Day, we want to acknowledge our Foremothers of Africa who fought gallantly for the liberation and development of our continent and remind society of the vital and critical role of African women and women of all races who continue to be the backbone of our economies as entrepreneurs, traders, artists, scientists, engineers, thinkers and leaders in many other sectors.
In alignment with our G100 Mission - we will continue to demand dignity and protection for all women and girls, as well as our inclusion in policy-making and in leadership. We will continue to encourage, support and hold organisations, institutions and leaders accountable for delivering on their gender equality commitments because gender equality is not only a women’s issue. It is an issue that should concern all members of society. As we reflect on the importance of this day, I celebrate all African women...and honor my soul sisters in G100-MAC and the wider G100 Network for their tenacity, despite the unique challenges women in(from) our continent face, we continue to tell our stories and support each other to thrive individually and collectively and through the inclusive agency and support of other sisters (and brothers) around the world. That is soul sistership and the undelining she-for-she spirit and he-for-she spirit of our G100 Mission”.
G100-MAC currently has African women leaders like Natalie Fort (Ghana), Mayuri Naidu (South Africa), Stella Damasus (Nigeria Born), Clara Rufai (Nigeria Born), Remi Ibinola (Nigeria), Karishma Pelham-Raad (Liberia), Zaina Adamu (Ghana), Macherie Ekwa Bahango (Democratic Republic of Congo), Cresta Duroaiye (Nigeria), Nana Karikari (Ghana), Etornam Sey (Ghana), Addobea Twum (Ghana), Clare Ezeakacha (Nigeria), Adeola Kingsley James (Nigeria) and more, creating impact in the media arts & communication sector and working together with brilliant women from other countries around the world, to amplify the sector's global mandate and achieve the G100 mission.