- Source: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development
The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, also known as the EJS Center, is an organization to encourage and develop women in leadership roles in Africa. Founded by the former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2018, the organization aims "to be a catalyst for change across Africa, by helping unleash its most abundant untapped power – its women".
Ophelia Weeks, ex-President of the University of Liberia, was appointed as the center's first executive director.
Amujae Initiative
The center launched its flagship program, the Amujae Initiative, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County on International Women's Day in March 2020. 'Amujae' means "we are going up" in Liberian dialect, and the initiative aims to prepare women for promotion to leadership positions across Africa.
In 2020, Joyce Banda of Malawi and Catherine Samba-Panza of Central African Republic helped Johnson Sirleaf with the Amaujae Initiative, 15 women were chosen as the inaugural cohort of participants to receive mentorship. They were:
Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, MP, doctor and activist
Clare Akamanzi, CEO, Cabinet minister and lawyer
Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, mayor of Freetown
Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority
Oley Dibba-Wadda, president and CEO of the Gam Africa Institute for Leadership (GAIL)
Kula Fofana, president of People's Foundation Africa
Yawa Hansen-Quao, executive director and social entrepreneur
Malado Kaba, Guinea's first female finance minister
Cornelia Kruah-Togba, NGO founder, public servant and women's advocate
Fadzayi Mahere, lawyer, advocate, lecturer and political leader
Aida Alassane N'Diaye-Riddick, development expert and public servant
Angela Nwaka, nurse, consultant, legislator and NGO director
Jumoke Oduwole, academic, government advisor, and advocate
Upendo Duraha Penza, MP and advocate
Blen Sahilu, human rights lawyer and gender expert
In 2021, 15 women across 11 African countries were chosen:
Teju Abisoye, development expert, lawyer and youth advocate
Farida Bedwei, tech entrepreneur and disability rights advocate
Dagmawit Moges Bekele, Minister of Transport and Member of House of People's Representatives
Susan Grace Duku, activist and refugee advocate
Dr. Yakama Manty Jones, economist, lecturer, entrepreneur and philanthropist
Isata Kabia, social entrepreneur, former MP and Minister
Bogolo Kenewendo, economist, former Minister and gender and youth activist
Ghada Labib, Deputy Minister and communications & IT expert
Angèle Makombo, political advisor and party leader
Fatoumatta Njai, Parliamentarian, Women's Leadership Advocate
Ifeyinwa Maureen Okafor, government advisor and corporate director
Umra Omar, humanitarian, community development strategist and gubernatorial candidate
Dr. Adaeze Oreh, Doctor, healthcare advocate and author
Telia Urey, businesswoman, politician and activist
Anne Waiguru, economist and governor of Kirinyaga County.
References
External links
Official website
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development
- Ophelia Inez Weeks
- Esther Omam
- Pray the Devil Back to Hell
- Malado Kaba
- Raj Panjabi
- 1980 Liberian coup d'état
- List of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients
- Mary Broh
