Category: News

[tp lang=”en” not_in=”fr”]Grantee Highlight: When Life Gives You Lemons, Build a Chicken Coop!

The Ababiti-bantu Women’s Group and Gender Integrated Development Program, Uganda

In the Kasekenya Village of the Pallisa District of Uganda, there is an outstanding group of women known as the Ababiti-bantu Women’s Group. Many of these women are living with HIV, disabilities, or have children with disability. In 2003, they made the conscious decision to come together in order to encourage each other and to collectively improve their lives. When living with an illness or disability, having a stable support group in one’s community becomes crucial for mental well being.

In 2012, the women discovered a Ugandan organisation called the Gender Integrated Development Program (GIDP). The mission of GIDP is to “provide capacity building services to enable marginalized groups to articulate their mutual concerns and demands, and promote their productivity sustainably for better and equitable livelihoods and self-help” (Global Giving). There is also a focus on aiding people living with HIV. Taking the next logical step, the Ababiti-bantu women approached GIDP for support in setting up means of earning income, since most did not have ways of doing so. GIDP and the women decided that poultry keeping would work best for them due to its simplicity and their prior experiences with free-range poultry. After this assessment, GIDP enlisted the financial support of the African Women’s Development Fund based on these needs.

 

The women’s clan of chickens!

Of course AWDF agreed to fund this project and GIDP received the necessary grant. Next, the women were put in charge of finding a piece of land on which the poultry house could be built. Amina Nabusigo, the group’s treasurer, had a place in mind and donated it to the cause. After the construction, twenty-three of the thirty-two members were trained in poultry rearing at a two-day training workshop. Then, the women were given 300 chicks, feed and medication for the animals. The group divided into three teams that take turns in managing the poultry farm. They even created a seven-person management committee that oversees the project in general. The farms were set up in September 2012 and the chicks started laying eggs in March 2013. As a result, the women have acquired poultry rearing and business management skills, which they use in managing the projects and are applying to their individual endeavors as well. Many of the women have even started breeding chicks in their homes applying the knowledge and skills gained.

The poultry project has given the women confidence, visibility and respect in their communities. Currently they have negotiated with hotels in the outlying areas that buy their eggs on a cash basis. These negotiations were entirely initiated by the women without the help of GIDP. They are effectively managing their sales and have adopted good saving habits because sales of the eggs are always banked immediately. A good perk is that every two weeks the group members get some eggs to supplement their own diets. With the continuation of all of these good practices, the project is definitely building up capital but not so much so that sharing of profits has begun. The women say that they are appreciative of the eggs they get and look forward to building the capital and for profit sharing to start. Since March 2013 the group has collected and sold 86 crates of eggs at a cost of 8,600 Ugandan shillings ($3.5) each.

The poultry project has really worked wonders in creating a more unified group of women who feel empowered by their ability to run a successful business. With their improved outlooks on life, they are better able to be there for each other through difficult times. It is even true that some of the group members’ husbands are so happy about the determination, perseverance and hard work of the women that they sometimes help out at the poultry house!

AWDF is proud to have been able to be a part of this story and that the women are well on their way to leading prosperous and happy lives with their poultry house!

 

The Ababiti-bantu women in celebration of their hard work!

Story and photos collected during a personal visit by: Beatrice Boakye-Yiadom (AWDF Grants Manager) and Gifty Ayebea Anim (AWDF Grants Administrator)

Words by Emily Barnard (AWDF Communications Intern)[/tp]

[tp lang=”fr” not_in=”en”]Highlight Bénéficiaire: Quand la vie vous donne des citrons, de construire un poulailler!

Le Groupe des Ababiti-bantu femmes et l’égalité du Programme de développement intégré, en Ouganda

Dans le Kasekenya Village du district de Pallisa de l’Ouganda, il ya un groupe exceptionnel de femmes connu sous le nom du Groupe des femmes Ababiti-bantu. Beaucoup de ces femmes vivent avec le VIH, handicapées, ou ont des enfants en situation de handicap. En 2003, ils ont pris la décision consciente de se réunir afin d’encourager les uns les autres et d’améliorer collectivement leur vie. Lorsque l’on vit avec une maladie ou d’un handicap, ayant un groupe de soutien stable dans sa communauté devient cruciale pour le bien-être mental.

En 2012, les femmes ont découvert une organisation ougandaise appelé le Programme de Développement Intégré (GIDP) Sexe. La mission de GIDP est de «fournir des services de renforcement des capacités pour permettre aux groupes marginalisés à exprimer leurs préoccupations et demandes communs de placement, et de promouvoir leur productivité de manière durable pour de meilleurs moyens de subsistance et équitables et auto-assistance” (de Global Giving). Il est également l’accent sur l’aide de personnes vivant avec le VIH. Prendre la prochaine étape logique, les Ababiti-bantu femmes approché GIDP pour le soutien à la mise en place des moyens de gagner un revenu, puisque la plupart ne disposent pas des moyens de le faire. GIDP et les femmes ont décidé que la tenue de la volaille serait le mieux pour eux en raison de sa simplicité et de leurs expériences antérieures avec volailles fermières. Après cette évaluation, GIDP enrôlé le soutien financier du Fonds de développement des femmes africaines sur la base de ces besoins.

Le clan des femmes de poulets!

Bien sûr AWDF a accepté de financer ce projet et GIDP reçu la subvention nécessaire. Ensuite, les femmes ont été mis en charge de trouver un terrain sur lequel la maison de la volaille pourrait être construit. Amina Nabusigo, le trésorier du groupe, avait une place à l’esprit et en fit don à la cause. Après la construction, vingt-trois des trente-deux membres ont été formés dans l’élevage de la volaille lors d’un atelier de formation de deux jours. Ensuite, les femmes ont reçu 300 poussins, aliments pour animaux et des médicaments pour les animaux. Le groupe divisé en trois équipes qui se relaient dans la gestion de la ferme avicole. Ils ont même créé un comité de gestion composé de sept personnes qui supervise le projet en général. Les fermes ont été mis en place en Septembre 2012 et les poussins ont commencé à pondre dans Mars 2013. Par conséquent, les femmes ont acquis la volaille d’élevage et les compétences de gestion d’entreprise, qu’ils utilisent dans la gestion des projets et appliquent à leurs efforts individuels. Beaucoup de femmes ont même commencé poussins d’élevage dans leurs maisons d’appliquer les connaissances et les compétences acquises.

Le projet de la volaille a donné la confiance aux femmes, la visibilité et le respect dans leurs communautés. Actuellement, ils ont négocié avec les hôtels dans les zones périphériques qui achètent leurs oeufs sur une base de trésorerie. Ces négociations ont été entièrement initiées par les femmes sans l’aide de GIDP. Ils gèrent efficacement leurs ventes et ont adopté de bonnes habitudes d’épargne parce que les ventes des oeufs sont toujours misé immédiatement. Un bon avantage est que toutes les deux semaines les membres du groupe reçoivent des œufs pour compléter leurs propres régimes. Avec la poursuite de l’ensemble de ces bonnes pratiques, le projet est définitivement constitution d’un capital, mais pas autant que le partage des bénéfices a commencé. Les femmes disent qu’elles apprécient des oeufs qu’ils obtiennent et sommes impatients de construire la capitale et pour le partage de profit pour commencer. Depuis Mars 2013, le groupe a collecté et vendu 86 caisses d’œufs à un coût de 8.600 shillings ougandais (3,5 $) chacune.

Le projet de la volaille a vraiment fait des merveilles dans la création d’un groupe plus unifié des femmes qui se sentent habilités par leur capacité à diriger une entreprise prospère. Avec leurs perspectives améliorées sur la vie, ils sont mieux en mesure d’être là pour l’autre dans les moments difficiles. Il est encore vrai que certains des maris des membres du groupe sont tellement heureux de la détermination, la persévérance et le travail acharné des femmes qu’ils aident parfois sortir à la maison de la volaille!

AWDF est fier d’avoir pu faire partie de cette histoire et que les femmes sont bien sur leur façon de mener une vie prospère et heureux avec leur poulailler!

Les Ababiti-bantu femmes dans la célébration de leur dur labeur!

Article et photos recueillies au cours d’une visite personnelle par: Beatrice Boakye-Yiadom (subventions AWDF Manager) et Gifty Ayebea Anim (subventions AWDF administrateur)

Words par Emily Barnard (AWDF Stagiaire en communications)[/tp]

The African Women’s Development Fund invites qualified persons to apply
for the position of Administrative Assistant with our organization. See
detailed information on the requirements and responsibilities of this
position below.

AFRICAN WOMEN’S DEVELOPMENT FUND

JOB VACANCY

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Background

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant making foundation, which aims to support the work of the African women’s movement for peace, equality, sustainable development and social justice. AWDF, which is based in Accra, Ghana, requires the services of an astute, experienced, innovative, dedicated and dependable Administrative Assistant. Priority shall be given to female applicants.

Scope

Her responsibility shall be to assist the Human Resource Manager in providing administrative and HR services to the organisation to ensuring that AWDF’s operations are executed in an effective, accurate and up to date manner.

Responsibilities:

Resolves administrative problems by coordinating logistical complaints: receive, record and invite the relevant service provider to fix the problem
Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
Maintains supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
Assist in procurement processes according to the organisation’s procurement policy
Maintain electronic and hard copy filing system
Maintain confidential records and files
Take minutes at meetings and distribute them 7 days after the meeting
Provide professional administrative support to supervisor during recruitment process – collate soft and hard copies of applications received; communicate interview schedules, etc.
Maintain and file applicant information in a structured way.
Coordinate logistical arrangements both in-house and external events according to laid down procedures (flight bookings, accommodation, venue, for board meetings; Organise information / board papers other organisational meetings.
Ordering and maintaining stationery and equipment supplies (checking quotations, wait for approval before purchases are made)
Renewal of permits , NGO recognition certificate and Filling of annual returns
Ensure effective and efficient filling of documents
Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager
Person Specification

Bachelor degree in HR/ Administration or its equivalents required
Minimum of 2 years of hands on administrative support experience
Proficiency in MS Word, MS Excel and MS Outlook a must
Knowledge of office administration and reasonable knowledge of Human Resource management
Knowledge of operating standard office equipment
Competencies required:

Must have excellent communication (oral and written ) and listening skills
Ability to speak and interact clearly and professionally
Ability to prioritise work and strong problem solving skills
Good research skills and attention to detail
Ability to work methodically, accurately, timely and neatly
Must be a team player with excellent inter personal skills
Experienced working with an international organisation and has cultural awareness (preferred)
Has good analytical skills
Extremely organised. Strong multi-tasking and time-management skills.
Can handle sensitive information with the highest degree of integrity and confidentiality.
Knowledge in ticketing is a plus.
Ability to work on one’s own with minimum supervision.

Qualified candidates should send typewritten applications and a CV of not more than 3 pages to the Human Resource Manager, African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), 78 Ambassadorial Enclave, East Legon, P.M.B.CT 89, and Cantonments Accra Ghana. Copies should be sent by email to grace@africlub.net/awdf, with ‘Administrative Assistant’ as the subject reference. Applications should reach AWDF no later than April 20, 2014.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for additional information and interviews.

 

Thank you, and we look forward to hearing from you!

On Friday March 7, 2014 AWDF and partner, Brand Woman Africa, brought together influential African women artists, authors and musicians to honor International Women’s Day here in Accra. The evening began with a gallery opening featuring the works of Sena Ahadji, Kis Keya and Zohra Opoku. There was a common theme of identity and self-discovery among the artists’ works, which were very thought-provoking for the gallery-goers. The next phase of the night continued with readings and discussion with authors, Boakyewaa Glover, Yewande Omotoso and Alba Simprim led by their friend and colleague, Kinna Likimani. The women garnered a lot of laughter and appreciation from their audience. Finally, we concluded the night with two sensational performances by up-and-coming talents, Cae and Diana Bada. They made sure the crowd left the Alliance Française feeling energized and stunned in awe of the power of women.

Our artists’ gallery

Kis Keya

Sena Ahadji

Zohra Opoku

Kis Keya and her son, who clearly approves of his mom’s artwork

Zohra Opoku (left) and Sena Ahadji

AWDF Communications Specialist, Nana Darkoa, is a huge fan of Kis Keya’s artwork

The four women authors begin their discussions, from right: (Kinna Likimani, Alba Simprim, Boakyewaa Glover and Yewande Omotoso)

Audience members, absorbed in the discussion

“The novel isn’t dead for me because, for me, it’s like saying brushing your teeth is dead…it’s more like a habitual practice [writing]” – Yewande Omotoso on the so-called extinction of the need for written word.

“In my mind, I was thinking, what if a guy wrote it? Would he say the same thing? When a woman writes about certain things, it becomes such a topic…” – Boakyewaa Glover on female writers, photo by Portia Duah

“I have never thought of myself as a woman writer…I am a writer who happens to have a vagina…I am unapologetic about it.” – Alba Simprim, photo by Portia Duah

AWDF staff members enjoy listening to the authors read excerpts from their recent works.

Joana Foster, a co-founder of AWDF, purchases books by the authors after the reading.

Kinna Likimani, the night’s mediator who asked all of the right questions so that we could get to know the authors even better. Photo by Portia Duah.

AWDF Director of Programmes, Sarah Mukasa gives thanks to all who came on behalf of the organisation, as Patrice Gilles, Director of Alliance Française waits to give his piece. Photo by Portia Duah.

French-Haitian musical powerhouse, Cae performs with guitarist, Kyekyeku

Soulful songbird, Diana Bada, from Nigeria begins her set.

Diana invites anyone who wants to dance to come dance with her, and she is delighted to see this!

Not shy about sharing the spotlight!

Cae and one of her guest singing partners of the night, Ms O of Live FM, chat with actor, Narsh Smith after the performance.

One of the happiest fans of the night!

Joana Foster and Sarah Mukasa

A HUGE thank you again to all of those who made it out that evening! We appreciate your continued support of our mission and of women across the African continent!

Photos by Emily Barnard and Portia Duah

Some of our AWDF ladies!

African Women’s Development Fund has been honored with two nominations in this year’s Ghana Blogging and Social Media Awards! One for ‘Organisation with the Best Social Media Presence’ and ‘Best Organisational Blog’!

As an organisation, we have made it our goal to be as active as possible on social media and to be able to share in our triumphs with you. It is important for us to be able to interact with the people that have continually supported our mission from the beginning, and to reach new people who will join our cause as well!

Also, this year our Communications Specialist, Nana Darkoa, has been nominated again in the category of ‘Best Blog’ for her Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women blog! Please be sure to show your support for her hard work as well!

Thank you to all who have made AWDF feel so respected and loved!

Be sure to VOTE and tell your friends!

Where to vote: here!

More info about the awards: here.

From right: AWDF CEO Theo Sowa, Grace, Sionne, Yewande and Nana pictured with Ama Ata Aidoo

On Saturday March 8th, African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) facilitated an all-day Writer’s Master Class. Critically acclaimed South African novelist Yewande Omotoso, whose debut novel Bom Boy was shortlisted for the 2012 Sunday Times Fiction Prize, led the creative writing workshop at the AWDF resource center. The 28 attendees represented a wide range of ages and experiences: younger and older women, aspiring and professional writers. Ms. Omotoso began the event by inviting each attendee to share her name, and the reason she decided to come to the workshop. “Writing is not an easy thing that comes to me… I’m here to learn,” said one attendee. “I am here because my biggest source of inspiration is female writers,” said another attendee. When it came her turn, Grace, the human resource manager for AWDF, stated: “Writing is everybody’s business.” We could not agree more. After the introductions, Ms. Omotoso revealed a surprising bit of information: “I’m just beginning the workshop [by saying] that I don’t know if workshops always work.” In order to grow as a creative writer, “there is something that you have to do in your own quiet hours.”

Participants study one another for inspiration.

For Ms. Omotoso, the decision to pursue a career in writing was a difficult one. Her parents encouraged her writing at a young age, but when she told her father that she wanted to be a professional writer, he told her, “You should have a proper job that gives you money,” continuing to say that, “I never want you to have to depend on a man, I never want you to have to be shortchanged because you don’t have your own career.” While her father’s concerns were valid, Ms. Omotoso has been able to have her own career, and was able to share her wisdom with us. She led the group in a second introductory activity: a truth and a lie. Each attendee told a fact about herself along with a myth. Ms. Omotoso explained that when you are a fiction writer “you are in the world of make believe and you are trying to be a good liar.” We learned from the game that being a good liar does not simply mean being able to convince people that the lie is true. It means being able to surprise people, make them laugh or stare with wonder.

Yewande leads the discussions

Ms. Omotoso showed us a book called The Amazing Story Generator that she uses as a writing tool. By shuffling the flaps of the book, different, sometimes outlandish, ideas for stories appear. “If something is startling or absurd, we look a bit deeper.” She explained how many writers recycle the same tired phrases, so we must challenge ourselves to be original. “I call it being lazy or using shorthand… They use clichés. For instance, a ‘beautiful’ woman… What if you couldn’t use that word and had to show me in a different way?” She discussed other challenges that plague contemporary authors: “Sometimes perfectionists struggle with writing or making art because you have to make a mess first.” Many of the attendees responded to this notion, discussing how fear of judgment often impedes their ability to put words on a page. According to Ms. Omotoso, a writer must have the strength to be gentle with herself and still charge forward in her work: in other words, she must have “gold ovaries.” After this talk, the attendees shared the introductory paragraphs to their own short stories, sharing opinions and advice.

Kinna Likimani focuses on her writing

After a brief writing exercise, the legendary Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo made a guest appearance, and conducted a special session. Ms. Aidoo appreciated the work of the attendees: “The bar has been set so far!” she exclaimed. She spoke about her current love for flash fiction: a short story that is told in 500 words or less. She recommended using flash fiction as warm-up exercise. Aidoo discussed her hesitations about infusing her work with a political agenda. However, “when you have what I describe as a politicized imagination, nearly everything you write has a political tinge to it.”After reading a short story of hers, she talked about her experience, explaining that she does not like being described in terms of “firsts.” “I like the feeling that I stand on the shoulders of some really fantastic people…” Undoubtedly, Ms. Aidoo serves as an inspiration for many of the women in attendance.

Ama Ata Aidoo

After Ms. Aidoo’s departure and a delicious lunch, Ms. Omotoso initiated a writing exercise: choose a partner and describe them in 100 words. After this activity, the group discussed the difficulties surrounding dialogue. Several attendees said that they actively work to avoid writing dialogue. Others shared the dialogue that they had already written. Although some women expressed trepidation about dialogue, far more feared writing sex scenes. The group launched into a discussion about the discomfort that comes with writing sex scenes, and how it is necessary to push against this discomfort in order to express the realities of African women’s lives. “We are afraid to write [sex scenes], but if we don’t write it [50 Shades of Grey author] EL James writes it, or some porn king writes it,” remarked Ms. Omotoso. The women in the workshop discussed an explicit scene in The Justice by Boakyewaa Glover, commending Ms. Glover on her fearlessness. Noting Ms. Glover’s repeated use of the word “gorgeous,” one attendee remarked: “Ugly girls can have good sex, too!” This exemplifies the importance of African women telling their stories: no two voices are the same. The Writer’s Master Class gave women an opportunity to share their thoughts on the writing process, and have their work critiqued by successful writers.

We are thankful to Yewande Omotoso, Ama Ata Aidoo, and the attendees for making this event a huge success.

 

 

By Sarah Lewinger

Photos by Emily Barnard

A statement from the leaders of the Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law:

For the past few days since the Anti Homosexuality Act was signed into law,
the Coalition Legal Committee has been engaged in plans for challenging the
law as agreed upon in the Legal Strategy Meeting.

As such, seven advocates from five law firms have been engaged to prepare to
challenge the AHA. The team has been officially working on the case since
Friday 28th and have held five meetings jointly since then, and many smaller
meetings.

The petition is already drafted, and input has been sought and obtained from
over 20 lawyers worldwide. I would like to thank those who have made input
in the petition. I believe we have a pretty watertight case now.

As for petitioners, we have 10- 1 Professor of Law as the leading
petitioner, 1 MP who is among the authors of the minority report, 1
journalist/political commentator, 1 former leader of opposition, 1 openly
gay medical doctor, 3 LGBTI leaders, and two organisations.

We have so far finalized 5 affidavits- for five of the petitioners and five
are being finalized. We expect to have all affidavits in by tomorrow, and to
have all of them commissioned by tomorrow.

We have also prepared two applications for stay of implementation of the
law, and also to stop the on going media outings. These will be filed
alongside the main petition.

We expect to hold out last pre filing meeting on Sunday and then we file on
Monday. The necessary fees have already been paid in full and are also
working to ensure there is media attention when we file.

I would like to thank all those who have provided support to us during this
process.

We thank you so much for the continued solidarity.

– Adrian Jjuuko, Chairperson of the Legal Committee of the Coalition

Read the official Coalition statement on the Anti-Pornography and Anti-Homosexuality Acts in Uganda: Coalition Statement.

Please check out their website as well for more information on what they do: Coalition website.

The Faith Hope Love Family Service Association Project based in Hawassa, Ethiopia has enlisted the aid of AWDF to help it achieve its goal of empowering women and OVCs towards HIV/AIDS prevention and controlling efforts. AWDF, along with the Association, has provided training and start-up capital to many disadvantaged women across the African continent. This program gives women social, economic, psychological and health empowerment so that they can develop a way of earning a stable income, to support themselves and their families.

 

Mrs. Tirunigo Samie pictured above with her main source of income, her cattle.

Mrs. Tirunigo Samie is one of the beneficiaries of the AWDF/Faith Hope Love Family Service Association project. She is HIV Sero-positive and a mother of five children. Her husband died six years ago and she now cares for her children independently. Before joining the AWDF programme, she had no source of income and had not been able to find employment due to her deteriorating health condition. As a result, her children were not attending school, she could not feed them and could not afford to pay their fees. At best, her children were fed once a day by a neighbour. She sent some of her children to the street and some of them to her relatives.

Samie tends to her goats, keeping them strong and healthy so they can produce delicious milk.

When she joined the AWDF supported programme she was encouraged to begin treatment and so she started taking ART (anti-retroviral therapy) and her health improved. After counselling and training she received a start-up capital of $266 (5,000.00 Ethiopian birr) from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) project and started her own business. She is engaged in urban agriculture and sheep breeding.

Samie stands proudly in a part of her garden where she grows vegetables to sell.

She grows different vegetables in her small garden and keeps goats and sheep who provide milk that generates income. After about six months of running the business she has experienced a vast improvement in her life. With improved health she is better able to take care of her garden and has a constant supply of fresh vegetables to boost her nutrition and that of her children. She has become capable of feeding her family, the children look healthier, they have gone back to school, they are better clothed and she has developed excellent saving habits. She says, “Thanks to AWDF I am enjoying my life, I have work, I am socially and psychologically competent enough and empowered, that I can support my children and my family.”

The Faith Hope Love Family Service Association Project based in Hawassa, Ethiopia has enlisted the aid of AWDF to help it achieve its goal of empowering women and OVCs towards HIV/AIDS prevention and controlling efforts. AWDF, along with the Association, has provided training and start-up capital to many disadvantaged women across the African continent. This program gives women social, economic, psychological and health empowerment so that they can develop a way of earning a stable income, to support themselves and their families.

 

 

Mrs. Tirunigo Samie is one of the beneficiaries of the AWDF/Faith Hope Love Family Service Association project. She is HIV Sero-positive and a mother of five children. Her husband died six years ago and she now cares for her children independently. Before joining the AWDF programme, she had no source of income and had not been able to find employment due to her deteriorating health condition. As a result, her children were not attending school, she could not feed them and could not afford to pay their fees. At best, her children were fed once a day by a neighbour. She sent some of her children to the street and some of them to her relatives.

 

 

When she joined the AWDF supported programme she was encouraged to begin treatment and so she started taking ART (anti-retroviral therapy) and her health improved. After counselling and training she received a start-up capital of $266 (5,000.00 Ethiopian birr) from the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) project and started her own business. She is engaged in urban agriculture and sheep breeding.

 

 

She grows different vegetables in her small garden and keeps goats and sheep who provide milk that generates income. After about six months of running the business she has experienced a vast improvement in her life. With improved health she is better able to take care of her garden and has a constant supply of fresh vegetables to boost her nutrition and that of her children. She has become capable of feeding her family, the children look healthier, they have gone back to school, they are better clothed and she has developed excellent saving habits. She says, “Thanks to AWDF I am enjoying my life, I have work, I am socially and psychologically competent enough and empowered, that I can support my children and my family.”

 

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) will be holding a creative non-fiction workshop in Kampala, Uganda, organised by FEMRITE Uganda Women Writers Association from the 21st to the 31st of July 2014. The lead facilitators for the workshop will be Mamle Kabu, and Yewande Omotoso.

This workshop is targeted at writers and activists who wish to use the power of the written word to highlight issues around women’s rights and social justice. Participants taking part in this workshop will be expected to read widely from assigned selected texts, and to complete daily written exercises.

The organisation of this workshop forms part of AWDF’s efforts to raise African women’s voices. Writers who participate in this workshop will be supported to have their articles placed in a range of local, regional and international media. In line with AWDF’s ethos, efforts will be made to ensure that at least 20% of the writers selected for this workshop will be women from existing grantee organisations and activists from civil society spaces.

Accommodation and a travel grant will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the duration of the workshop.

 

Application Guidelines

Deadline for submission is 23rd March 2014. Only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by 30th May 2014.

To apply, send an e-mail to writing@africlub.net/awdf
Your e-mail subject should read ‘Workshop Application’

The body of the e-mail should contain the following:
1. Your Name
2. Your Address
3. A short bio (maximum 200 words)
4. A sample article addressing an issue around women’s rights or social justice (of between 500 and 1000 words)

* Please state in your email if you are a member of an AWDF grantee organisation or network member

* The sample article could be either published or unpublished

Facilitators Bio

Mamle Kabu
Photo credit: Printex

Mamle Kabu, a writer of Ghanaian and German parentage, was born in Ghana and attended the University Primary School, Legon, and Achimota Secondary School.

At the age of 14 she moved to the United Kingdom. She completed her secondary schooling there, after which she studied at the University of Cambridge, where she obtained her BA and MA in Modern Languages and her MPhil in Latin-American Studies. She returned to Ghana in 1992 where she has since been resident and works as a freelance consultant in development issues.

Mamle took up fiction writing in the late 1990s and has since written a number of short stories, all of which have been published in various anthologies and journals in Africa, the UK and the US. One of these is “The End of Skill,” which was nominated for the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2009. In 2011, for the first time, Mamle turned her hand to writing for children and published a young adult novel under the name Mamle Wolo. This book, entitled ‘The Kaya-Girl,’ won the 2011 Burt Award for African Literature in Ghana. Mamle has also written poetry, two screenplays and is working on a novel. She is a co-director of the Writers’ Project of Ghana and a keen believer in fostering writing talent and strengthening networks between African writers. In the past three years, she has attended a number of international writing workshops including the Farafina Writer’s Workshop by Chimamanda Adichie in Lagos, the Caine Prize Workshop in Kenya and the Femrite annual residency in Uganda. She combines her work and writing with the raising of her two children.

 

Yewande Omotoso

Yewande Omotoso was born in Barbados in 1980 and grew up in Nigeria with her Barbadian mother, Nigerian father and two older brothers. The family moved to South Africa in 1992.

Yewande trained as an architect at the University of Cape Town, to which she returned after working as an architect for several years, to complete a Masters degree in Creative Writing. The product of her degree is her debut novel ‘Bomboy’ published in 2011 by Cape Town publisher Modjaji Books. ‘Bomboy’ was shortlisted for the 2012 Sunday Times Literary Awards as well as the MNet Film Award, it won the South African Literary Award (SALA) for First Time Author Prize. Prior to ‘Bomboy’ Yewande authored several stories, among them ‘The Piano’ (2nd Place, People Opposing Women Abuse, 2005) and ‘Maude Hastings’ (Honourable Mention, John La Rose Short Story Competition, 2007). In addition she has published ‘Heroes’ with online crime fiction magazine ‘Noir Nation’ and ‘Two Old People’ in the anthology ‘Speaking for the Generation: Contemporary Stories from Africa’. Yewande’s poetry (‘Stranger’ and ‘The Rain’) has been published in the ‘Baobab Literary Journal’ 2009. ‘The Rain’ was shortlisted for the Sol Plaatjie European Union Poetry Awards 2012.

Omotoso, for whom writing is a means to make sense of the world, is interested in the complexity of human experiences as well as the incongruities of life. Loneliness is a recurring theme. Omotoso views her writing as a tool for compassion and evoking self-examination. For her talent and the intent to tell stories, she credits her parents and a childhood steeped in reading and the sharing of ideas.

Next Friday, March 7, AWDF and our new partner, Brand Woman Africa, will be hosting an International Women’s Day celebration at the Alliance Française d’Accra. In anticipation of this artistic adventure, the press and several artists who will be featuring their work, were invited to the AWDF headquarters for a small meet-up. Despite the heat, everyone had a chance to share a bit of themselves and we heard from AWDF CEO, Theo Sowa; BWA Founder, Anita Erskine-Amaizo; AfterSchool Ghana Founder, Kinna Likimani; and Alliance Française Director,

Patrice Gilles.

From right: Patrice Gilles, Theo Sowa, Anita Erskine-Amaizo, Kinna Likimani

“Philanthropy is not something that others ‘do’ to Africa. We have African philanthropy to celebrate.”

– Sowa

Gilles recognizes the importance of feminism and the strength of the African woman. Alliance Francaise d’Accra has loved working with AWDF and hopes to continue the partnership to bring more attention to the issues that are important to the fund.

“People overlook the arts, but art is what brings out the issues…I want to get African women to write their stories…get them to move their stories out of their stomachs and onto paper…when you put your thoughts onto paper, that is a radical act.” – Likimani

Likimani recognizes her friend, Alba Simprim, for her contributions to the art world and for being brave enough to share her thoughts through art.

“Women are always saying, ‘I look up to you,’ and ‘I want to be like you.’ And I say that if you want to be like me you would have to stop the clock, go back in time and literally crawl into my mother’s womb…You can be you, and be better than me.”- Erskine-Amaizo

“We want the world to know that we are self-sufficient. With or without external help, we can actually do it…I want [BWA]‘s story to be told from the perspective of the young African woman whose life we were able to change. I’m excited about the future of the modern African woman” – Erskine- Amaizo

French-Haitian musician, Cae, voices her excitement for next week’s event and how privileged she feels to be able to work with all of the women involved.

Sena Ahadji is another artist who will be at IWD March 7. She is a woman of many talents and finds inspiration in others and wishes to provoke peoples’ imaginations.

Closing remarks: “We have to remember that we still have a long way to go. We still see that it’s MEN, MEN, MEN! If you want true success, you have to include women. It is only when African women reach their potential that Africa reaches its potential.”- Sowa

AWDF staff members get to know Cae and Kinna. From right: Likimani, Grace Amenyogbeli, Cae, Gertrude Annoh-Quarshie, Zeytuna Abdella Azasoo

AWDF Finance Assistant, Mavis Gardiner, surrounded by her co-workers and friends who make the efforts of the organisation possible.

AWDF family, including Knowledge Management Specialist, Sionne Neely in blue, who has been dedicating her time and hard work to International Women’s Day this year.

Theo Sowa poses with three of the featured artists, Cae, Zohra Opoku and Alba Simprim. Likimani has said that “bringing culture to AWDF has made all of the difference.”

AWDF, Brand Woman Africa, Alliance Française and the African women artists hope to see you all next Friday, beginning at 6 PM. International Women’s Day deserves to be celebrated, whether you know about feminism or not. Come show your support for these women, it is sure to be a night to remember.

Photos by Emily Barnard