Year: 2019
What We Know: The Role of Knowledge Production in Owning our Narratives as African Feminists
What We Know: The Role of Knowledge Production in Owning our Narratives as African Feminists
By: Rita Nketiah, Knowledge Management Specialist, AWDF
“We claim the right to theorise for ourselves, write for ourselves, strategise for ourselves and speak for ourselves as African feminists.” –The African Feminist Charter
Each morning, as I sit down at my desk at the AWDF House, this quote from the African Feminist Charter greets me. It is a constant reminder of the power of feminist knowledge work, as a transformative tool for justice, expansion and the wellbeing of African women. At AWDF, we believe that women’s capacity to tell our own narratives is how movements are built and sustained. Indeed, while knowledge production has historically been viewed as the domain of white Western men in academic institutions, part of our work as an organization is to create the conditions that may garner African feminists to engage in the deep, rigorous and political work of intellectualism as a way to own our narratives, and forge our own liberatory futures. Knowledge production is the practice of creating, researching, analyzing and documenting critical ideas, which can provide some observation about worldly phenomenon. And yet, the work of knowledge production, much like most other areas of human life, is laden with power relations. Historically, the university space has been heralded as the bastion of knowledge production, often dominated by white men. Intellectual work was understood as the work of those in positions of power. While there is an old adage that “knowledge is power”, insofar as knowledge arms you with the capacity to make better, more informed choices in the world, power also determines who and what can be known and who is allowed to be a “knower”; in this way, power is knowledge. Much of the work of feminist intellectuals, then, has been to disrupt all the ways in which institutionalized patriarchy has denied, invisibilized and exploited the very necessary and longstanding intellectual work of women and minoritized communities.
————————-
Why African Feminist Knowledge Production Matters
Ever since I can remember, I have loved reading and learning. I can remember being 16 years old, and discovering some of my favourite poets, including Nikki Giovanni and Maya Angelou. I was struck by the simplicity with which they seemed to express deep and complex truths about being Black women. Around the same time, I was fortunate enough to discover African feminist poet and former AWDF USA Board Chair Abena P. Busia’s collection of poems, Testimonies of Exile, and it fundamentally shifted how I understood my experience as the child of Ghanaian immigrants, living in Toronto. In Busia’s work, I found a longing for a home she had left, a desire to tell a story that had yet been told and a freedom to imagine life after the trauma of migration. And it meant something to me as a young African child to read the work of someone from my ancestral homeland, articulating the experience of being Black, African and female in the murky waters of North American life.
Later, when I began undergraduate studies, I searched desperately for all the African feminist writers I could find. Alas, I developed a deep friendship with the theoretical work of a cadre of African feminists including, Ama Ata Aidoo, Amina Mama, Yaba Blay, Njoki Wane, Notisha Massaquoi, Tsitsi Dangarembga, and Obioma Nnaemeka, to name a few. The literature ranged from fierce radical poetry to deep political/activist theory. And I was thankful for all of it. I understood all of these writers as storytellers and knowledge workers, who excavated their life experiences to teach us something about the human condition, about African women’s human condition(s). Their narratives became a mirror, a blueprint and a guide for what was possible both in my writing and activist world. Their words transformed me.
But as I entered graduate school, and began to pursue my feminist academic career, I realized that very few of my colleagues (and professors) had heard of these remarkable writers. I understood that if I were to produce “rigorous” knowledge in the academy, I would be forced to cite (mostly) white feminists who were more well-known and lauded by the academy. And I understood this as part of the deep and longstanding tradition of epistemic violence that is hurled at Black African women who dared to produce knowledge in the university system. While Black feminism has historically been preoccupied with the ways in which white supremacist constructions of gender, race and class come to structure Black female life in the Americas, African feminists have been instrumental in shaping nationalist independence movements across the continent, the struggle against patriarchal violence and global economic imperialism that threatens the lives of women and girls in their communities. And yet, despite these long intellectual traditions across Africa and its diasporas, there is still a perception that African women do not have the time or are disinterested/disengaged from intellectual labour. African feminists who have historically engaged in intellectual labour have been accused of being Westernized elitists. Certainly, this accusation sits as a betrayal for any well-intentioned African female intellectual engaged in this labour in pursuit of social justice for her people.
The history of African feminist organizing was understandably assumed to be anti-intellectual. That is to say, our feminist foremothers did not have the luxury or access to pursuing seemingly bourgeois endeavours like “research” or “theory”. African women were said to be more concerned with “pressing issues” such as poverty, disease and nation-building and development. And the indigenous knowledge we may have accessed on a daily basis was not considered “intellectual work” –it was simply the way we did things based on our spiritual inner life. Beyond this, the identity of the intellectual was often masculinized, creating a perception that African women did not have the mental acumen to be engaged in the male-dominated world of knowledge production. In a panel discussion a few years ago, BYP National Coordinator Charlene Carruthers observed that “Black people are deep thinkers, even if we don’t always have the time to do it”. Thinking about Black African women, I would extend this to say that we are also deep thinkers, but that patriarchal structures often demand that we mute this intelligence in the face of our men; that we do not (selfishly) pursue the intellect, because this takes us away from caring for communities and families. Gendered expectations of Black African women have meant that the work of “thinking” has historically been the domain of men. The access to education has historically privileged boy-children and missionaries were complicit in this patriarchal education structure. In Ghana, young people who ask critical questions are often charged with and chastised for being “too-known”, which means to go beyond the expectations of adults. One who seeks to question or explore critical thought and analysis is often accused of thinking too highly of themselves, of wanting to know (or actually knowing) too much. This colonial residue is a reminder of how European masters did not want us to access the knowledge that could precipitate our freedom. But what if intellectual work could actually save our lives as African women? What if intellectual work is the very stuff that our liberation is made out of?
————————
Building an African Feminist Knowledge Hub
At AWDF, we currently organize a Feminist Knowledge Hub, which consists of managing, disseminating and co-creating feminist knowledge, as well as strengthening feminist knowledge production institutions. More tangibly, this Knowledge Hub consists of a physical Resource Centre, which houses hundreds of books, DvDs and archives of African feminist knowledge production. The Centre is open to the public three times a week, free of charge. We also manage a complimentary Resource Centre Catalogue, which allows the general public to virtually access a database of our materials. The African Women’s Development Fund Repository (AfriREP) is host to hundreds of articles, reports and research papers on feminist and gender issues in an African context. The materials are sourced through searching through various open access academic journals, and functions as a clearinghouse for innovative African feminist content. We also engage in strengthening the feminist knowledge production movement, through collaborations with research collectives such as Feminist Africa and our Know Your African Feminist series. We recognize all of this work as deep political work that helps to sharpen our analysis as African feminists.
————————-
Conclusion:
Feminist intellectual Patricia McFadden once wrote that “intellectual engagement is the most sensual and most satisfying experience of living. It is akin to nurturing the very essence of [her] being”. As we forge ahead as feminist knowledge producers, I feel strongly that the work of the intellectual is to observe, analyze and document our life narratives, and that this work can be deeply rewarding. I encourage us all to support the work of African feminist knowledge producers, through an engagement with our work. In fact, this was the impetus for the twitter hashtag #citeAfricanfeminists, which culminated in the publication of an African Feminist reading list by feminist scholar Awino Okech late last year. At AWDF, we will continue to support and amplify African women’s knowledge production, as we understand that a movement that consistently reflects, analyzes and observes is one that thrives.
Bio:
Rita Nketiah is currently the Knowledge Management Specialist at the African Women’s Development Fund. She is also completing her PhD at York University in Human Geography. In her spare time, she enjoys an active Netflix life and playing with her cats ☺
Is internet space feminist enough?
Is internet space feminist enough?
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]
By Ablodegbo Ameyo Savi Dekoleadenu
8/11/2018
According to www.feministinternet.com, the internet holds huge potential for political transformation and liberation. It is a platform that provides a variety of information and communications facilities that can be harnessed to build political coalitions. The report on “State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2018 indicates that globally, the use of internet is on the rise; for instance in Africa, internet usage is fast growing among individuals, enterprises and government departments and with strengthened online participation, women have also been able to increase their involvement in public and political life.
Internet equality1 per the definition of www.feministinternet.com means equal rights to freedom of expression, privacy, data protection, internet access, regardless of race, class, gender, age, belief or ability. Therefore, a feminist internet space can be defined as a place where the same human rights principles we fight for offline exist online; a place where governments cannot spy on activists and free speech is a right; a place where women feel free to engage in a ways they choose to without any trolls; a place where women can share their work, achievements, and creativity in order to empower themselves.
Yet, for women and women’s rights organisations to enjoy the full benefits of the internet, there should be the elimination of a set of barriers including violations of privacy and data protection, the poor state of internet freedom, the unauthorised use and manipulation of personal information including images and videos, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and hate speech against women online among others.
The report on the State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2018 emphasises on the right to privacy which is central to the protection of human dignity, forms the basis of any democratic society and supports other rights such as the freedom of expression, information and association. Therefore, it is essential for states to have policy frameworks that protect individuals from invasion of their privacy and abuse of their personal data and rights.
According to the same report, some African countries have enacted data protection laws, many ICT users are unaware of their related privacy rights .In Africa, for instance, 22 countries have privacy and data protection laws namely Angola (2016), Benin (2009), Botswana (2018), Burkina Faso (2004), Chad (2015), Cape Verde (2001), Cote d’Ivoire (2013), Equatorial Guinea (2016), Gabon (2011), Ghana (2012) Lesotho (2012) Madagascar (2014) Mali (2013), Mauritius (2017), Mauritania (2017), Morocco (2009), Senegal (2008), Seychelles (2002), South Africa (2013), Tunisia (2004), Zambia and Zimbabwe (2003). In March 2018, the Uganda Communications Commission ordered the registration of online content2
While there are efforts in some countries to address problems faced by women and women’s rights organisations in the internet space, gaps in policy and practice persist and there is need for practical solutions to deepen understanding of the realities of being online for women and being subjected to abuse, harassment, and threats.
Several conferences, forums and workshops are held in different parts of the globe in order to find solutions to issues faced by women and women’s rights organisations in the digital world. These include:
Gender, Sexuality, and internet (April 2014) organised by Association for Progressive Communications (APC) which drafted The Feminist Principles of the Internet, series of statements that offer a gender and sexual rights lens on critical internet-related rights.
Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa (September 2018) organised by Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa in partnership with the Media Foundation West Africa) where the book on the State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2018 was launched.
The Diana Initiative’s 2018 conference (August 2018), organised by the DIANA initiative, an organisation that is dedicated to supporting women who are interested in pursuing a career in information security, promoting diverse workplaces, and helping to change workplace cultures so that organisations can be supportive of all employees regardless of gender.
AppSec Europe annual conference (July 2018) hosted by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a non-profit organisation which strives to raise the visibility of software security worldwide.
Africa Cyber Security Conference (October 2018) which talked about technology and innovations.
International Network of Women’s Fund (Prospera) was not left out. It discovered the need for its members (Women’s Funds) to be enlightened on issues of internet security. Therefore, on November 6th and 7th 2018, Prospera members met in Ravenala Attitude Hotel Port Louis Mauritius to have a workshop on Digital security. During this 2day training participants became more aware of the rudiments of digital security and learnt how to protect themselves as individuals and as women’s rights organisations when engaging online. It was an interactive discussions in which participants shared their experiences of online activism. Some include email and system hacking, trolling, and being attacked by governments’ officials because of speech published online. It was clear that the online world is just a mirror of our offline world.
Participants at the Digital Security workshop organised by Prospera 6-7/11/18
At the end of the training, the following recommendations were made:
- Drafting a privacy policy clearly stating for instance how information collected either by the organisation or from the organisation should be used. This policy should then be shared with grantees and potential grantees, partners and potential partners so as to be aware of dangers associated with non-conforming to using the privacy policy when transacting with the organisation.
- Having a secure website that is https (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) instead of http (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
- Backing up data
- Having strong storage systems
- Re-setting passwords on a regular basis
- Investing in more sophisticated anti-virus systems and other security softwares
- Organising training for staff on a regular basis to broaden their knowledge on digital security issues
- Encryption of calls, emails, folders, files…
- Using passphrases instead of passwords when opening any account
Sources: 1 www.feministinternet.com, 2 State of Internet Freedom in Africa 2018, Gender rights online
[/tp]
Theo Sowa shares her thoughts with ‘Deliver for Good’ on Advocacy, Narrative and Her Sheroes!
Theo Sowa shares her thoughts with ‘Deliver for Good’ on Advocacy, Narrative and Her Sheroes!
Deliver for Good is an incredible global campaign, initiated by Women Deliver and its partners. It is an evidence-based advocacy campaign that applies a gender lens to the sustainable Development Goals, pushing actors to enhance policy programing and investment in girls and women. As part of this campaign,Theo Sowa, CEO of AWDF, spoke with Deliver for good in a brief interview. She shares her thoughts about who she considers her Sheroes and how the African woman’s narrative and reality can be a game-changer.
Here’s an excerpt from the interview:
WD: You have been listed as a leading African feminist helping to inspire the next generation of women leaders across Africa – and truly all around the world. Who are your sheros and how did they inspire you to become such a key voice for gender equality? Given this month’s editorial focus, if you have any education specific examples, please share!
TS: I have so many sheroes! Too many to list. For today though, I’d mention my mother and grandmother, who believed in the power of a good education, made sure that all the children in our family had that opportunity – but also made sure that we understood and appreciated the full potential, diversity and power of women – and the importance of listening, learning from and respecting all people. I’d mention Graca Machel, who pushed me to use my voice rather than staying in my comfort zone of helping other people to use their voices and show the world their own versions and visions of leadership. She taught me the importance of women recognizing and using our power constructively, and not colluding with those who would strip us of our power or tell us that to be visionary, powerful and amazing changemakers is somehow not feminine or not African. I would mention the fantastic women and girls that I met over the years in refugee and displaced persons camps in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Uganda (amongst other places) who had been through such horror, but showed every day that they were not victims but survivors and pushed to change the injustices in our world so that other women and girls did not go through the horrors that they had experienced. I’d mention the girls, adolescents, women and grandmothers who have taught me about resilience and solidarity – and all my sheroes who have taught me that rights and justice without love does not make a feminist revolution.
For the full interview, please click this LINK.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – Women and Girls project
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – Women and Girls project
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is seeking for an expression of interest from an experienced consultant to undertake end of project evaluation. We are looking for a consultant with demonstrable expertise on monitoring, evaluation and learning (ME&L) with special focus on women’s rights work in Africa. The consultant is expected to carry out an end of project evaluation in one of the projects implemented through support from Comic Relief.
The time frame expected for the execution of this study is 30 days during the second quarter of the year 2019.
Interested applicants are encouraged to send their expression of interest with:
- Copy of CV
- One recent example of similar task accomplished
- Financial proposal – consultancy fees (daily rates and number of days required)
This should be sent to the following address: jobs@africlub.net/awdf and meassistant@africlub.net/awdf
Please find the Terms of Reference (TOR) here TOR – CR W&G end of project evaluation
The deadline for submission of applications is Friday March 22, 2019. Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.
Applications from women consultants based in Africa are especially welcome.
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – Leadership and Governance project
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – Leadership and Governance project
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is seeking for an expression of interest from an experienced consultant to undertake end of project evaluation. We are looking for a consultant with demonstrable expertise on monitoring, evaluation and learning (ME&L) with special focus on women’s rights work in Africa. The consultant is expected to carry out an end of project evaluation in one of the projects implemented through support from Comic Relief. The time frame expected for the execution of this study is 20 days during the second quarter of the year
2019.
Interested applicants are encouraged to send their expression of interest with:
Copy of CV
One recent example of similar task accomplished
Financial proposal – consultancy fees (daily rates and number of days required)
This should be sent to the following address:
jobs@africlub.net/awdf and meassistant@africlub.net/awdf
Please find the full Terms of Reference (TOR) here: COMPLETE TOR – Leadership and Governance program.The deadline for submission of applications is Friday March 15, 2019. Only shortlisted consultants will be contacted. Applications from women consultants based in Africa are especially welcome.
Terms of Reference: AWDF Grantmaking Audit
Terms of Reference: AWDF Grantmaking Audit
Introduction
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) was founded in the year 2000 as an autonomous, Africa-wide foundation, awarding grants for the support of non-profit African women’s organisations working for social justice, equity and peace, as well as carrying out capacity building work for those organisations and generating knowledge on African women’s work and achievements. In its 18-year history, AWDF has disbursed over 41 million USD to more than 1,370 women’s rights organisations in 43
African nations and 7 countries in the Middle East. AWDF receives its funding from a range of bi-lateral and international donor agencies, private sector entities, African and international philanthropists, and the African Diaspora.
AWDF makes grants in 3 thematic areas namely:
- Body & Health Rights
- Economic Security & Justice
- Leadership, Participation & Peace
In addition, AWDF has issues of young women, arts and culture and technology as cross cutting themes and prioritises projects working with women facing multiple discriminations.
CONTEXT
AWDF started as a grantmaking organisation with a grantmaking budget of about US$350,000 in year 2001 supporting small to medium sized organisations, mainly community women’s groups on the African continent. AWDF’s grantmaking portfolio has grown over the years – reaching a grantmaking budget of over US$6,800,000 in
- Currently AWDF supports community, national and regional African women’s organisations. Over the years AWDF’s grantmaking systems and processes have evolved organicallyto meet growing needs of grantees and changes in our grant sizes. AWDF currently awards Main grants (grants of up to $100,000), the Leading From the South initiative
(grants of up to $500,000), special grants including World AIDS Day and 16 Days of Activism ($2,000), capacity building grants, and solidarity and legacy grants. Application for grants are received and processed in English and French.
2
Purpose of assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to undertake a grantmaking audit that involves an objective look at the organisation’s grantmaking policies, practices, procedures and strategies to help strengthen and protect the organisation’s grantmaking integrity, establish best practices and identify opportunities for improvement. An objective review of the organisation’s current grantmaking state can help in evaluating whether specific
practice areas would be able to accommodate future growth and needs. The results can provide management with the information necessary to decide what areas need improvement.
To this end, AWDF requires an audit and strengthening measures for its grantmaking function in order to stay abreast with its growth and current trends. As part of that process therefore, AWDF wants this framework to be focused on the future in order to adequately cater for a growin grantmaking portfolio and emerging best practice trends in feminist grantmaking.
Scope of audit
The scope of this audit should cover among others the review of and recommendations around improving:
- AWDF grantmaking systems- model(s), policies & practices
- grantmaking tools including the application and reporting guidelines, the
application review templates, dockets, etc - human resource capacity of the grants department
- documentation practices within the department
- due diligence and desk and field review systems undertaken by the grant’s team
- grantee support and technical advice provided by the grants team
- all other functions and tasks undertaken by the grants team
- The linkages with other departments within AWDF and external key stakeholders
Methodology
The Consultant will use a diverse range of methodologies best suited to meeting the
objectives of the audit including;
3
- Desk review of relevant documents
- Interviews with relevant members of staff
- Interviews or focus group discussion with key stakeholders, such as grantees or
donors. - Review of AWDF’s grantmaking system, processes and procedures including the
grants department’s interface with finance, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning,
Capacity Building and Communications, Knowledge Management, with the Director of
Programmes and CEO.
Expected deliverables
- A report that includes findings of the review and:
Recommendations around systems and processes
Recommendations for more efficient workflow within the team and with other
departments
Recommendations around human resources - A grantmaking handbook – incorporating agreed recommendations
Consultant’s profile
The consultant should have:
- Expert knowledge of human rights/ social justice grantmaking systems,
processes and trends is essential. - Systems oriented person but with deep understanding of African contexts/ global
South realities - Experience in women’s rights issues and organisations
- In-depth understanding of feminist principles and how they relate to
organisational processes - Excellent writing skills and proficiency in English essential.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and flexible attitude
- Proven ability to deliver work on time
4
Duration of assignment
The assignment must be completed by September 2019.
The Consultant shall be required to submit the first draft for review by XXXXX and the
final document incorporating all comments by XXX
How to apply
Please send a CV and cover letter indicating proposed methodology, timeline and
number of consulting days, previous experience and relevant field knowledge as well as
a quotation for assignment fee to Beatrice Boakye-Yiadom – Grants Manager –
beatrice@africlub.net/awdf , copying vivian@africlub.net/awdf – the HR & Admin Manager
Please put in the email subject header: “Application for Consultancy- Grantmaking
Audit”
Deadline for submissions is no later than XXX.
Vivian Korkor ACHEAMPONG Human Resources Manager
Vivian Korkor ACHEAMPONG Human Resources Manager
Vivian Korkor Acheampong, the Human Resources Manager is responsible for leading the development of HR Strategy, Processes, Systems and Interventions to ensure the alignment of the HR role to the AWDF’s Strategy.
Vivian, a certified HR Practitioner of the Institute of Human Resource Management Practitioners (IHRMP), Ghana, is poised to contribute to the human resource management discourse to promote paradigm shift at the national and global levels. She has practiced mainly in the non-governmental and public sectors and has tremendous skills in HR strategy development, planning and implementation of organisational redesign/restructuring and the development of HR policies and manuals. Vivian also has excellent skills in change management processes and has led teams to develop reward-based Performance Management Systems {PMS} to promote team motivation and increased productivity in Ghana. Beyond Ghana, she has supported the development of some organisations in the International Non-Governmental sector of some African countries including Liberia, DRC and Somaliland.
Vivian holds a Master of Arts degree in Development Studies specializing in Human Resources and Employment (HRE} from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) now Erasmus University in The Hague, the Netherlands. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon and Certificates in Public Administration and Organisation Development. Her strong people’s skills combined with her academic background and experience enable her to blend HR practice with development and rights-based issues in a unique way. She has special interests in safeguarding and corporate governance issues.
Africa Philanthropy Network (APN) Assembly 2018
Africa Philanthropy Network (APN) Assembly 2018
[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]
Africa Philanthropy Network (APN) is organising its ASSEMBLY 2018 as part of its mandate to establish a strong voice for African philanthropy in order to address the growing challenges of conflict, poverty and bad governance in Africa.
Running from 8th to 9th November 2018, in Port Louis Mauritius, the program will include sessions on:
People Pillar, which will explore some trends, motivations, social and economic dynamics that are shaping African philanthropy. Opportunity for transforming Africa’s development story from one of “need” and “dependence” to one of “self-direction and self-reliance” and the barriers when it comes to supporting issues that are considered “difficult” or “unpopular”.
Policy Pillar: This session will answer Key questions such us
- The role of government in fostering philanthropy / local giving;
- The domestic advantage? The rise of foreign funding restrictions for civil society and its implications for African philanthropy;
- Claiming rights over assets and illicit financial flows – what is philanthropy’s role in stemming illegal / immoral flows?
- What is the role for international funders in contributing to the emergence of a strong, trusted and effective foundation sector in Africa?
Practice Pillar will focus on exciting new tools and strategies for building philanthropy, new networks (global and regional) as well as sector-level issues that look at what kinds of support a functioning ecosystem for philanthropy in Africa needs.
Apart from The Vice President of Mauritius Mr. Paramasivum Pillay Vyapoory who is the featured speaker of this event, other speakers include Theo Sowa -CEO of African Women’s Development Fund, Ndanatsei Bofu-Tawamba from Urgent Action Fund Africa, Jeanne Elone from Trust Africa, Jenny Hodgson from Global Fund for Community Foundations; Francis Kiwanga from Foundation for Civil Society Tanzania.
This program is a unique opportunity to learn, network and have fun.
To learn more about this event click here
The Africa Philanthropy Network (APN) is an independent, not for profit, organizational member-based continent-wide network that was launched in July 2009 in Accra, Ghana as the Africa Grantmakers Network (AGN), and later rebranded to APN in July 2015, with a commitment to building a broad, multi-stakeholder understanding and recognition of the contribution of philanthropy as a field that bridges development and local ownership. Today, APN brings together 67 members organizations serving different forms of African philanthropy over 20 African countries, and the only network of its kind in the continent. Together APN members represent civil society and community partners in more than 50 African countries. Since 2010, African Philanthropy Network (APN), a non-profit network that promotes voice and action of African philanthropy, has organized a space for experienced and new philanthropy leaders who want to engage in a conversation that would enrich each other’s understanding and practice on African philanthropy by developing and African-generated and African-owned narrative about different forms and models of philanthropy in Africa.
[/tp]
Janet OKUMI – Due Diligence Officer
Janet OKUMI – Due Diligence Officer
Janet Okumi is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana, Institute of Internal Auditors, Global and a student member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon in Accounting.
She is currently employed by African Women Development Fund (AWDF) as the Due Diligence Officer, having previously worked for West Africa Program to Combat AIDS and STIs, Ghana (WAPCAS-Ghana) as the Internal Audit Manager. Prior to her employment at Ghana-WAPCAS, Janet worked with Kwame Asante and Associates (KAA) as the Assistant Manager in the Audit & Assurance service line.
Janet has over 7 years of professional experience in both public and private sectors. Her hobbies include reading, listening to gospel music and watching wildlife documentary.
Fauzia Kassim ZIBLIM – Executive and Resource Mobilisation Officer
Fauzia Kassim ZIBLIM – Executive and Resource Mobilisation Officer
Fauzia Kassim Ziblim is a Development Professional with strong passion for humanitarian ideals focusing on women and children affairs, especially the ‘girl child’. Prior to joining the African Women’s Development Fund(AWDF), she worked with Palladium as the Programme Support Officer on a DFID funded project, the Ghana Adolescent Reproductive Health(GHARH), in partnership with the National Youth Authority.
Fauzia obtained a Master’s Degree in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the UK, after she had graduated with B.A(Hons.) in Sociology from the University of Ghana, Legon. She has joined the African Women’s Development Fund(AWDF) as the Executive and Resource Mobilisation Officer and is committed to her role in a spirit of teamwork in pursuit of the vision of the AWDF