News & Events
News & Events
LEYMAH GBOWEE
is a fighter. She led and worked
with thousands of women to bring
peace to Liberia. Now as founder of
the Leymah Gbowee Foundation
she is working tirelessly to create
more opportunities for women
across the region. Leymah’s
work with the Women Peace and
Security Network Africa (WIPSENAfrica) in Ghana has doubled the
number of women in parliament
in just 5 years. In addition to this,
last year Leymah resigned from
her post as Liberia’s Peace and
Reconciliation Commissioner after making a brave move to criticize the Liberian president, for
not doing enough to combat government corruption and nepotism. For having the audacity to
fight the power, the voice to speak her truth and for championing the movement for women’s
empowerment and liberation, Leymah is a GoWoman.
“Those women in the rural communities, they inspire me every day because they never
stop, they have so much hope in their children. And most times I tell myself if they are
not giving up who am I to give up?” ~ Leymah Gbowee
NANA OYE LITHUR
is
a lawyer, human rights activist and
most recently she was appointed as
Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children,
and Social Protection. When Nana was
faced with national criticism because of
her belief that all Ghanaians regardless
of sexual orientation, deserved the
same protection under the law, she
stood firm to this belief. It is that kind
of audacity and commitment that will
get Africa moving in the right direction.
Women leaders especially need to not
acquiesce to pressure but stand firm for
what they believe. Another audacious
spirit, Nana’s name is synonymous with passion and integrity and she is a GoWoman because
she pushes for the change she wants to see in the world, damning the consequences.
“My GoWomen are women who changed the course of history; Margaret Thatcher, Yaa
Asantewa, Indira Ghandi, and Winnie Mandela.” ~ Nana Oye Lithur
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YVONNE NELSON
is
one of the most respected actresses in
Ghana’s film industry. Although not
the best measurement of achievement
in the African movie industry, she has
over 20 films to her credit. However it
is what she does behind the scenes
and away from our TV screens that
earned her a place in this honour
list. Recently Yvonne expanded her
creative expression into the producer
chair and her film won best film at
the Ghana Movie Awards. In addition
to this Yvonne continues to raise
awareness of Glaucoma in Ghana
after her grandmother was blinded
by the disease. She has lobbied tirelessly for the government and pharmaceutical companies to
ensure that Glaucoma medication is available and affordable to the thousands of people who
are affected by this disease locally. Yvonne is a GoWoman because while many are content with
merely being on a TV screen, Yvonne is trying to ensure that her legacy transcends far beyond
and behind it.
“My mom is a GoWoman because she raised four children on her own and put us all
through school. She inspires me more than anyone!” ~ Yvonne Nelson
AISHA OBUOBI
was 22
years old when she started Accrabased fashion house Christie Brown.
It is a contemporary women’s fashion
brand that mixes African textiles
with modern silhouettes. In 5 years
Aisha has created one of Africa’s most
respected and renowned fashion
labels. Aisha’s dresses are much more
than clothes. They give women young
and old confidence and self esteem.
Aisha Obuobi is a GoWoman because
she has made a whole generation of
African women eager to wear African
prints that they may have once
considered out of style. With Christie
Brown, Aisha has put the cool back in African fashion.
“The CEO of GIPC [Mawuena Dumor Trebah]. She is amazing, and fierce. She knows
exactly what she wants and how to get it and she gets things done. You can’t help but
be taken by her energy. She has a large heart and she is so intelligent.” ~ Aisha Obuobi
GOWOMAN SEPTEMBER|2013
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