PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Accra, 7th April 2012
The African Women’s Development Fund congratulates Joyce Banda, President of Malawi
The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) extends our congratulations to Her Excellency Joyce Banda, who has recently been sworn into office as President of Malawi.
Joyce Banda has been a longtime advocate for women’s rights and through her leadership of the ‘Joyce Banda Foundation’ (an AWDF grantee partner) she has supported civic education and empowerment activities for community based women. A member of the African Womens Leadership Network for Reproductive Health and Family Planning, in November 2010, AWDF awarded Joyce Banda a ‘Woman of Substance’ award in the ‘Special Recognition Category’.
Theo Sowa, Interim CEO of AWDF states, “Our condolences go to the family of the late President Bingu wa Mutharika. Despite the tragic circumstances of her appointment, I am certain that President Joyce Banda will guide the people of Malawi with the same vision, principled leadership and diligence that she has shown in her life and work to date. Her track record as a women’s rights activist, and her history of working with community-based organisations is commendable. In November 2010, AWDF was privileged to have Joyce Banda participate in our 10th anniversary celebrations, where she spoke on the topic, “Quality versus quantity: How far have we come in promoting African women’s participation in politics?” This panel discussion now seems prescient, and we look forward to Joyce Banda distinguishing herself as an inspiring African woman president.
ENDS
About the African Women’s Development Fund
Over the past ten years, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has blazed a trail for women’s rights and philanthropy across the African continent. AWDF is an African, not for profit, grantmaking organisation. Since the start of operations in 2001, AWDF has provided US$19 million in grants to 800 women’s organisations in 42 African countries.
AWDF’s grant making processes are uniquely designed to meet the needs of African women and activities include the provision of small and larger grants to African women’s organisations, capacity building support and a strong focus on advocacy and movement building.
Press Enquiries
Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah (AWDF Programme Officer for Communications)
Tel: +233 302 521 257 (Ghana)
Email: nana@africlub.net/awdf
Website: www.africlub.net/awdf
On behalf of Tanzania Women Cross-Party Platform (T-WCP), I join AWDF in congratulating Her Excellence Joyce Banda, President of Malawi. It is victory to all women and men fighting for gender equality and true democracy
Thank you AWDF and as Network of Zimbabwean Positive Women (NZPW+), we would like to congratulate Joyce Banda on being appointed President of Malawi. This goes a long way to show that women can do it even in political leadership.Thank you Theo for exemplary leadership. You are our role model and advocate.
I am very excited we now have two women as presidents in Africa. It is a very motivating factor for other African women leaders to continue to aspire for higher and challenging positions.
Congratulations, Joyce Banda! I am very proud of you. You have tought me it is not about being voilence to get to a higher position as a woman but being patience and developing yourself.
May God grant you the strength and wisdom needed to rule Malawi effectively.
Ayekoo!
The Zambian Umoyo Women of Substance would like to send their heart felt congratulation to Mrs J.H Banda on her recent appointment as President of Malawi, We wish you every success in your new appointment . Long live Her excellence.
On behalf of Nigerian women, I want to say a big congratulations to Her excellency, Joyce Banda. We are so proud of you, you will lift up the banner of women in that country and also in the whole world. Congratulations!!
Au nom du Collectif des Associations et ONGs féminines du Burundi CAFOB, nous nous joignons à AWDF pour congratuler Son Excellence Joyce Banda pour la confiance que le peuple de Malawi a placé en elle. C’est un grand honneur pour toutes les femmes africaines et surtout les défenseuses des droits de la femme pour l’égalité des sexes. C’est un pas important dans la démocratie.
The Nigerian Feminist Forum joins the AWDF in congratulating Her Excellence Joyce Banda, President of Malawi. It is wonderful news to all women on persistence, gender equality and democracy.
On behalf of Women Living with HIV/AIDS support AWDF in congratulating Her Exellence President of Malawi , Honorable Joyce Banda.This is victory of all women in Africa
Royals Health Organization, a gender equality advocate organization at Jasikan, in the Volta Region – Ghana joined AWDF to congratulate and wish Her Excellence Joyce Banda, President of Malawi well in her endeavor. God is with you. All gender equality Advocates support you. This is just the beginning, the fight continues. You are a shinning STAR for Africa. Congratulations.
On behalf of BEWOG(Be Just Woman) i also send my sincere congratulatory message to her excellency Joyce Banda,President of malawi.It is a great achievement for women in Africa and we believe more are rising up and the Lord who managed you to go through, will be with you always.God bless you .Long live her excellency.
We, at the Kenya Women’s Chamber of Commerce, congratulate Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda on the occasion of her ascendency to the Presidency of the Republic of Malawi. With this new development Africa is slated to claim her place in the family of nations that know the importance of Gender parity and Human dignity.
Our prayers go to her, her family and all Malawians.
I heard a couple of guys talking about this in the New York subway so I looked it up online and found your page. Thanks. I thought I was right and you confirmed my thoughts. Thanks for the work you’ve put into this. I’d love to save this and share with my friends.
Malawi is one of a few lucky countries being run by a woman. if we follow the presidents advice of respecting men the sky is the limit for us. in whatever we do dont forget we need our men folk. REMEMBER- the adage behind every successful man is a women the opposite of that is proving to be true. Congratulations Her Excellency you have made the Malawiam woman proud.
Women & Children Development Resource Center congratulate Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda on the ascending to the post of President of Federal Republic of Malawi. Our NGO is proud to be associated with AWDF from where Her Excellency is a partner. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Heartiest Congratulations to her excellency Mrs Joyce Banda. I clearly remember how her excellency and myself started “The Small Scale Tailoring Association” in Malawi, after doing a “Tailoring and Deisign” course through DEMATT (Development of Malawian Traders Trust)…
I believe a woman leader with “humble beginnings” has the perfect qualities to be THE MOTHER OF HER COUNTRY !!
CONGRATULATIONS AMAYI !!