Source: Daily Independent
Abuja — Arrangements have been concluded to provide women at the grassroots level in Africa with leadership and advocacy skills that would enable them to contribute meaningfully in the democratic space.
To this end, a two-day capacity building symposium has been scheduled to hold on June 4 and 5 this year in Dakar, the Senegalese capital for training of women on strategies that would reposition them as leaders, while participating effectively in the political and socio-economic development of their communities.
The Coordinator of the programme, Henrietta Akaakar, said the theme of the 2014 Symposium is "Women's Leadership in Democracy: Engendering Nation-building at the Grassroots Level."
She said it would bring together female legislators, all female political politicians, female heads of local government councils, female councillors, wives of local government heads, heads of women associations, and NGOs across sub-Saharan Africa.
Akaakar said the capacity building event was organised by Africavance Nigeria in collaboration with Observatorie National de la Pariti of Senegal.
The choice of Senegal as the host country for this symposium, Akaakar said, was because of its commitment to gender issues.
Senegal has also domesticated a parity law whose implementation is monitored by the key partner of the event, Observatorie National de la Pariti.
Papers would be presented at the event by renowned global experts on topics that include gender equality and governance; women's leadership: realities and strategies as well as strengthening democracy with women's empowerment.