AWLN Mozambique took part in the 2nd Conference of Lusophone Women’s Movements, held on 2-3 October and co-convened by Dr. Alice Banze, senior member of AWLN Mozambique and President of WAFA.
Hosted by H.E. Mamã Gueta Chapo, First Lady of Mozambique, the gathering brought together women leaders to strengthen feminist solidarity, cross-border collaboration and intergenerational leadership.
Ms. Whitney Sabino, Youth Caucus Co-Chair of AWLN Mozambique, delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of ensuring young women are not only represented in decision-making spaces but are heard and empowered to shape decisions.
The conference also fostered connections across AWLN National Chapters, including the AWLN Malawi Chapter represented by Ms. Emma Kaliya, reaffirming the power of collective leadership across generations and borders.
#AWLN #AWLNMozambique #WomensLeadership #IntergenerationalLeadership
🇹🇬🤝🏾 Ce matin à Lomé, de riches échanges avec des femmes leaders de la société civile, de la sphère politique et du secteur privé togolais.
Profondément impressionnée par leur engagement, leur dynamisme et leurs initiatives en faveur du développement économique et social du Togo et de l’Afrique.
🌍💪🏾 Les femmes sont de véritables forces motrices de nos sociétés et de la transformation de notre continent !
@AWLNetwork #AfricanWomenLead #LeadershipFéminin #Togo #AWLN
AWLN Senegal participated in the Francophone Forum on Women’s and Youth Political Leadership, held in Dakar on 19 October 2026, which marked the launch of a practical guide to strengthening political leadership skills.
Discussions emphasized the need to move beyond training by expanding women’s access to financing, mentorship, networks and decision-making spaces.
Through its participation, AWLN Senegal reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive political leadership and ensuring women’s full and meaningful participation in political life.
#AWLNSenegal #WomensLeadership #InclusiveGovernance
At the Africa Food Systems Forum 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda, Dr. Thelma Awori, AWLN Global Co-Chair of the Agriculture, Rural Economy, Blue Economy and Land Pillar, Founder of IST and EWA Program Lead, delivered a powerful message during the thematic plenary “Cultivating Equality, Harvesting Growth in Food Systems.”
She called for a fundamental shift from simply supporting women’s participation in agriculture to transforming the systems that determine who controls resources, makes decisions and benefits from agricultural growth.
Drawing on the Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) initiative, she highlighted how access to land, finance, technology and markets, backed by institutional reforms and coordinated investment, can unlock women’s economic potential.
With over 5,700 delegates from 104 countries, the Forum reinforced the urgency of placing women at the centre of Africa’s food systems transformation.
#AWLN #AFSF2026 #WomenInAgriculture #FoodSystems
AWLN Bénin took part in the 2nd Egumeni Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, held from 19-21 October 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ms. Huguette Akplogan Dossa, Chair of AWLN Bénin, presented a synthesis of reports from 20 African countries on women’s financial inclusion, contributing to discussions on accelerating women’s economic empowerment and building a more resilient Africa.
Organized by the African Union Commission in partnership with the World Bank Group through the EAGER project, the Dialogue highlighted the importance of expanding women’s access to financial and economic opportunities across the continent.
#AWLN #EgumeniDialogue #FinancialInclusion #WomensEconomicEmpowerment
On the margins of #WPSWeek2026, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), in collaboration with the African Union Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security and partners, will co-convene a high-level dialogue under the theme “From Legal Invisibility to Protection: Strengthening Legal Identity and Protection for Women and Children Affected by Armed Conflict.”
The discussions will focus on addressing barriers to legal recognition, strengthening protection systems and ensuring that conflict-affected women and children can access their fundamental rights and essential services. Particular attention will be given to women peacebuilders and their critical contributions to community protection, recovery and lasting peace.
📅 27 October 2026
🕙 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT
📍 Africa Hall, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations, New York
#AWLN #WPSWeek2026 #WomenPeaceSecurity #CAAC
As part of #WPSWeek2026, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), together with the African Union Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, will co-convene a high-level dialogue on AI and technology-facilitated violence against women.
The dialogue will address emerging digital threats to women peacebuilders and leaders, strengthen prevention, protection and accountability mechanisms, and advance women's leadership in shaping responsible technologies for peace and security.
📅 28 October 2026
🕙 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
📍 Africa Hall, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations, New York
#AWLN #DigitalSafety #AIForGood #WPS
Strengthening women's leadership through dialogue and partnership.
AWLN Co-Convener Mme @BinetaDOfficial met with Ms. @CoumbaDSow, UN Resident Coordinator in Togo, to discuss advancing women's participation in governance, strengthening their influence in decision-making, and fostering intergenerational leadership.
📸 Photo courtesy of @UN_Togo
#AWLN #WomenLead #Togo
During the AWLN National Chapters Meeting, Ms. @FatouSombie1, AWLN Global Coordinator, presented key updates from the Secretariat, highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination, expand the Network’s national presence and enhance collaboration across Chapters.
Her presentation outlined priorities for membership mobilization, programme support, resource mobilization, partnerships and greater visibility of National Chapters’ achievements. She also highlighted upcoming engagements, including the Intergenerational Retreat, the National Chapters Retreat and preparations for AWLN@10, marking a decade of African women’s leadership in 2027.
The discussions, facilitated by Ms. Sefora Kodjo, Co-Chair of AWLN Global National Chapters, reinforced the importance of stronger institutional engagement, improved communication, knowledge-sharing and collective action to translate AWLN’s continental vision into tangible impact at the national level.
#AWLN #WomenLead #Nationalchapters
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) convened a meeting with its National Chapters, bringing together representatives from across the continent to reinforce coordination, strengthen institutional engagement and advance shared priorities for women's leadership across Africa.
The meeting, attended by H.E. Mme Bineta Diop, AWLN Co-Convener, and Ms. Joyce Mends-Cole, AWLN Executive Director, highlighted the importance of stronger collaboration between the AWLN Secretariat and National Chapters, enhanced resource mobilization, improved communication and information-sharing mechanisms, and greater visibility of initiatives undertaken at the national level.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for several National Chapters to share their success stories, achievements and best practices, showcasing impactful initiatives and fostering peer learning and the exchange of experiences across the Network.
Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening the role of National Chapters in translating AWLN's continental vision into concrete actions, fostering cross-country collaboration and ensuring more coordinated reporting, knowledge-sharing and collective advocacy.
The meeting reaffirmed AWLN's commitment to building a stronger, more connected and sustainable network that amplifies African women's voices and leadership at national, regional and continental levels.
#AWLN #WomenLead
AWLN Patron, H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, is featured among FORBES AFRICA’s 15 Icons, recognizing leaders who have shaped the continent over the past 15 years.
The feature explores her legacy in advancing women’s leadership, strengthening institutions, and creating pathways for the next generation of African women leaders through the EJS Center.
Read the full feature: https://t.co/pKY6HplzHK
#WomenLead #AWLN
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) proudly congratulates Ms. Angelle Brigitte Kwemo, member of the AWLN Diaspora, on her recognition by the U.S. Congress for over two decades of distinguished public service and contributions to strengthening US-Africa relations.
A trailblazer in economic diplomacy, trade, investment, and women's economic empowerment, her remarkable journey reflects the power of African women to shape global policy, build bridges across continents, and create opportunities for generations to come.
This well-deserved recognition is a proud moment for the entire AWLN family!
#WomenLead #AWLN
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) welcomes the continued efforts of the African Union Panel of Facilitators, including H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, to advance dialogue and support a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC.
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) proudly congratulates our esteemed Elder, H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi, on receiving the prestigious 2026 BPI Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in Johannesburg, South Africa.
A pioneering stateswoman, champion of women’s rights and advocate for social justice, H.E. Dr. Joyce Banda has dedicated more than four decades to advancing democracy, empowering women and girls, fighting poverty and expanding access to education and economic opportunities.
As Malawi’s first female President and the second woman to serve as Head of State in Africa, she has broken barriers and demonstrated the transformative power of women’s leadership.
This distinguished honour recognizes not only her remarkable achievements in public service but also her enduring commitment to ethical leadership, humanitarian action and building a more equitable and prosperous Africa.
AWLN celebrates this extraordinary milestone and the lasting legacy of a visionary African woman leader whose courage, resilience and dedication continue to pave the way for generations of women and girls across the continent.
#AWLN #WomenLead #AfricanWomenLeaders
Food security is a matter of power, peace and equality. At the #WorldFoodForum2026, AWLN Co-Convener @BinetaDOfficial calls for women to be at the heart of solutions to build a more resilient Africa.
1⃣"Food security is not only a humanitarian question; it is a question of power."
At the #WorldFoodForum2026 side event "Women in Agrifood Systems: Breaking Barriers at the Frontlines of Crises," I spoke about the realities of women in conflict-affected communities across Africa.
It is time to move from recognizing women's contributions to ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions on food security, resilience and recovery. 🧵 1/2
@World_FoodForum@FAO@AWLNetwork@Fasngo
1⃣"Food security is not only a humanitarian question; it is a question of power."
At the #WorldFoodForum2026 side event "Women in Agrifood Systems: Breaking Barriers at the Frontlines of Crises," I spoke about the realities of women in conflict-affected communities across Africa.
It is time to move from recognizing women's contributions to ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions on food security, resilience and recovery. 🧵 1/2
@World_FoodForum@FAO@AWLNetwork@Fasngo