Feminist organisations have been at the forefront of women\u2019s and girl\u2019s rights advocacy and action across Africa and the Middle East. Often working in
\nchallenging socio -economic and political contexts with limited organisational capacity and ever-increasing demands, women\u2019s organisations help bridge the public service delivery gap, while redefining conventional ideas and practices on the rights and roles of women in society, the economy, and policymaking. How do these women\u2019s organisations continue to push the envelope on impact
\nwhile embarking on feminist movement building? How do they remain innovative and relevant in ever-changing women\u2019s rights, development and professional landscapes? How do they stay accountable as they tackle Africa\u2019s challenging socio-economic and political issues?<\/p>\n
To address the capacity building needs of African women\u2019s organisations, the African Women\u2019s Development Fund (AWDF) spearheaded the creation of the CEO Forum. Designed by African feminists, the CEO Forum seeks to build individual and collective leadership and skills of senior, mid -level and emerging women leaders and executives. Participants benefit from networking, technical skills acquisition and professional capacity building, alongside in-person and virtual coaching over a specified timeframe. The coaching process involves practical exercises and feedback for the continuous evolution and growth of African feminist leaders. To date, 60 feminist leaders and activists have been coached.<\/p>\n
From 4th to 6th October, 2018, 30 representatives of grantee women\u2019s organisations joined coaches Hope Chigudu, Paula Fray, and Yene Assegid and the AWDF team at Accra\u2019s Best Western Hotel for a period of sharing, reflection, learning and evaluation\u00a0on the CEO Forum\u2019s successes, shortfalls and impact. The gathering marked the eighth edition and grand finale of the CEO Forum and featured past and prospective coachees working in 14
\nAfrican and Middle Eastern countries, namely: Benin, Burkina Faso,
\nCameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra
\nLeone, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
See below for the event report:<\/p>\n