Time to strategise and capture political and economic power - H.E Dr. Joyce Banda

Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi has passionately reiterated the imperative need for African women to strategize and deal with the election process at the grassroots level not because they know the people at the grassroots but because that is the only way they will be recognized and also make a difference at that level.

Dr. Banda, who made history by becoming Malawi's first female president and only the second woman to lead a country in Africa, made the call at the International Sheroes Forum in Dubai which is a global gathering of women leaders.

Dr. Banda who expressed optimism at the end of the forum admonished her compatriots to support and stand with each other.

“If you go up the ladder to the top, don’t push down the ladder. Leave it there so others can climb”, she asserted.

The goal of the International SHEROES Forum is to strengthen and influence women in business, government, academia and in our communities in general. It provides participants with the opportunity to explore how successful women leaders are redefining pathways to power.

The theme for the forum was: “African Women’s Leadership, Vision & Economic Empowerment”.

According to Dr. Banda, a lot of women lack the necessary resources to compete effectively with their men counterparts in the political arena; therefore there is the need for women to be trained on how to deal with the election process.

“Training must be designed the African way because that is the only way to efficiently reach out to our people. This must be done in partnership with the West but the African way”.

The Former President and women’s activist averred “As women, we must be connected with an action plan that will create the future. We should identify our SHEROES and support them and live in peace with each other,” she concluded.

Also in attendance was Former Vice President of Zimbabwe, Dr Joice Mujuru, who implored her fellow women to strategize effectively in their quest to capture political and economical power. According to her, although the women present come from different backgrounds, it behooves us to learn the best way to do what we want to do.

“We must begin to work collectively to provide solutions to problems in our specific nations. Solutions that when as women we go back home, we can implement. We need to touch the core of what SHEROES stand for.”

The Keynote Speaker for the event, Her Excellency, Dame Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor for Plateau State, Nigeria, expressed her delight for being part of this laudable forum, beseeched all women to live in peace and love, since these two qualities of a women are not negotiable.

“Women are the spice of the world. Without women nothing can work. It is important to know that God has something special in every woman and there is nothing that a woman cannot do.”

“Love is lacking among women. Without love, all other things come in. The religion of unity is love not Islam or Christianity. As women, we must love ourselves.

Women must support each other. When you are happy for somebody else’s progress, God will bless you. Be happy for your sister’s progress. Support her. If and when we do that, God will bless us. Put love into practice. Love is the first and most important thing to every woman.”

Ms. Flossy Tachie-Menson, Founder and Director of SHEROES forum divulged that the objective for organizing this forum is to recognize and celebrate great African women who have paved the way for all women.

She added “we want to bring together preeminent female leaders of diverse achievement form all over the world to present new perspective to key issues facing women. We need to discuss the African women’s leadership, vision and economic empowerment”.

“Our goal is to galvanize action and accelerate progress to enable women to participate effectively in all fields and to achieve gender equality now and not later,” she remarked.

Various topics relating to women were discussed. Plenary sessions were also held on number of topics including the role of media in women’s empowerment. Time was also allotted for questions and contributions to be made by delegates at the end of each session.

Other topics discussed were: Women in business and political leadership: strengthening decision making structures through increased participation and inclusion; Gender equality is the mechanism that will lead to a well- balanced and productive society; barriers are not permanent, they are movable, how do we move them; What is the role and responsibility of culture and religious values in the status of women?’ ‘Work, Family and Life Balance…Conflict between work and family life is one of the most common.

At the end of the forum, a joint communiqué was released to the media. The statement, among other pertinent issues, stated the need for women to practically deal with their issues head on, gather, support and represent all women in Africa and the world and fight for women who cannot be heard. Furthermore, they resolved to start investment clubs to support women who want to run for office

Some distinguished personalities that graced the forum are, H.E. Mrs. Bisi Fayemi, Nigeria; Hon. Thokozani Khupe, Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Mrs. Naji Houda, CEO / Founder Younoh Media UAE, Ms. Fatema Aleghfeli,CFO Dubai Media Inc. UAE, Queenmother Nana Appiantua IV, DIRECTOR, Nana Appiantua IV Foundation Ghana, Sandi Rich Saksena, Finance & Insurance Counsellor UAE, Mrs. Sedina Tamakloe Attionu, Chief Executive Officer, Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC)

Ghana, Mrs. Nadia Murabet, Founder & President Miracle Africa International Foundation Geneva – Switzerland, H.E. Amb. Dr. Erieka Bennett,Founder & Head of Mission DAF, H.E. Rev. Dr. Princess Asie Ocansey, Chief Executive Officer Channel of Blessing Ministry Ghana, Ms. Tamunoibim Mary-Gab Semenitari, Ag. Managing Director/CEO NDDC Nigeria, Mrs. Gifty Lamptey, Chief Executive Officer SIDALCO Ghana, Hon. Dame Maureen Tamuno, Former Executive Chairman Ogu/Bolo L.G.A, Rivers State Nigeria, Mr. Ade Adeogun, Managing Director, Magnum and Hunter Limited Nigeria, Hajia Hanatu Abubakar, Head Investor Support Services Ghana Free Zones Board.

The International Sheroes Forum is an initiative of the SHEROES Foundation and organized by Forum Solutions International (FSI), a Ghana based company. FSI arranges knowledge sharing and networking events that brings together people from diverse fields and backgrounds for a common goal.

The next SHEROES forum will be held in October, 2016 in Accra, Ghana.