Category: News

A couple months ago, a person emailed me asking for tips for transitioning to design from a development background. As someone who had loosely gone through the same path (from programming to design to programming then back to design), I wanted to share any advice I could possibly give. After writing the letter, I thought it may be useful to a few other people out there. So if you are a developer looking to get into design, this is written specifically for you. To preface, this article is not why developers can be good designers. This article does a great job of articulating those ideas. So instead of duplicating good work, I spent ti

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) in partnership with Mbaasem Foundation is pleased to announce a special one-day writers’ master class led by Yewande Omotoso with special guest Ama Ata Aidoo.

This event will take place in Accra, Ghana, on Saturday 8th March 2014.

Women writers wishing to take advantage of this opportunity should send a short bio and a sample story or article to info@mbaasem.net by Friday 21st February. Successful applicants will be notified by 28th February.

Yewande Omotoso
Photography by Tolu Talabi

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.

 

Prof. Ama Ata Aidoo with Nneka at AWDF house

Ama Ata Aidoo’s literary career dates from when, as an undergraduate, she wrote her first play, The Dilemma Of A Ghost (1964), which was subsequently produced and published. She followed that up with Anowa (drama 1970). Since then, she has published novels, including Changes (1991), volumes of poetry and short stories including An Angry Letter In January & Other Poems (1992) and The Girl Who Can & Other Stories (1997). Her third collection of short stories; Diplomatic Pounds & Other Stories and a book of essays in her honour titled: Essays in Honour of Ama Ata Aidoo at 70: A Reader in African Cultural Studies edited by Anne V. Adams were published in March 2012 by Ayebia Clarke Publishing Limited, UK.

She also edited the widely-acclaimed, African Love Stories Anthology, (Ayebia, Oxfordshire, UK, 2006) the Anthology has won two literary prizes – one of the stories “Jambula Tree” by Monica Arac de Nyeko won The Caine Prize for African Writing (2007) and the ASA US Aidoo/Synder Prize for ‘The Best Creative Work on Women’ in 2008. Her books for children include Birds & Other Poems (2002) and The Days (2010). She has taught at colleges and universities in Ghana and the United States including the University of Cape Coast and Brown University. Aidoo’s many awards include the Nelson Mandela Prize for Poetry in 1987 for Someone Talking to Sometime and the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Changes in 1992.

 

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), Alliance Française Accra, and Brand Woman Africa are pleased to invite the general public to a series of events in commemoration of the 2014 International Women’s Day. These events will take place in Ghana on Friday 7th March at Alliance Française Accra, Liberation Link (behind Opeibea House). Details are as follows:

6pm – ‘Paroles de Femmes’ Exhibition Launch

Featuring paintings, photography, installations and illustrations by visual artists Kis Keya, Sena Ahadji and Zohra Opoku.

* This event is FREE

 

 

7pm – Meet the Writers

Join Kinna Likimani as she facilitates thought provoking conversations and book readings with writers Alba Simprim, Boakyewaa Glover and Yewande Omotoso.

* This event is FREE

 

 

 

 

 

8pm – The Afro Soul Concert

French Haitian singer songwriter Cae opens up this concert by showcasing a tribute to iconic musician and activist Nina Simone. Featuring several Ghanaian women artists and vocalists, this ephemeral vocal tapestry is entitled ‘Women of Soul’. It is the first opus of a workshop Cae is conducting during her ongoing artistic residency at Alliance, dedicated to celebrating women of the Diaspora’s artistic expression.

 

 

 

Nigerian musician Diana Bada will get the crowd on its feet with her unique mash up of ‘Afro Soul’ – a blend of Hip Hop, Jazz and Reggae music. Diane was part of the 2008 edition of MTVBase/Zain Advance Warning that featured artistes including M.I, Kel, Terry G, Durella, Waje and Terry Tha Rapman. She was a member of the Gimme Shot Crew touring in Europe as well as the lead vocalist for the Tripanation Band.

 

 

* Concert: 10ghc, 5ghc for AF students and members, free for children below the age of 12

 

Venue:

At Alliance Française Accra, Liberation Link (behind Opeibea House)

The Capacity Building Unit of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) has developed a series of technical support programmes to respond to the organisational development needs of AWDF’s grantees and those of women’s rights organisations in Africa.

The first in the series of these technical support programmes is ‘Financial Management Training for Finance Manager and Officers’ which will be held in Nairobi from 10 – 12 February 2014. This training will be held in collaboration with Orwa & Co an accounting firm in Nairobi whose team are providing pro-bono financial support services to selected AWDF’s grantees in Kenya. From 2013, AWDF in collaboration with Orwa & Co designed a project which seeks to enhance the financial management capacity of grantee organizations, and to review existing internal control systems and processes. The project which is on-going will also look at developing and improving processes that will allow for strengthened overall financial management systems and structures of AWDF’s grantee partners.

The 3 days training will bring together 17 finance managers and officers from 17 grantee organisations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The training will look at issues of budgets and cash flow projections, financial management in context, grant management, internal controls and internal checks, compliance to statutory requirements, and financial reporting among others.

It is expected that this training will be beneficial to participants and provide skills and insights aimed at strengthening grantees’ institutional capacity to manage donor funds and develop a sound financial management systems for their organisations.

When asked why they wanted to participate in this training programme our grantees said:

“The principle objective for participating in the upcoming workshop is to gain additional practical administrative and finance management knowledge and skills to enhance smooth execution of the above job purpose”. Ritah Atwongyeire, Better HAG, Uganda.

“To build my financial skills so that I can be able to operate effective financial management systems and manage programmes more efficiently and effectively… Learn about compliance and statutory requirements” Ms. Eunice Ndung’u, Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP), Kenya.

“To refresh on the concepts and key financial issues, to update myself with the new statutory regulations in different areas such as payroll administration, withholding taxes etc” Evelyn Dzame,

Finance & administration Manager, Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW) Kenya

“To gain knowledge in financial management, with aim to consolidate NACOA’s compliance with Donor’s financial requirements”. Juliet Muhumuza, Nacoa Uganda

“… we need to get financial management skills and I have no direct experience on accounting and have direct experience on budget preparation and control”. Elenatane Getachew, SOS ADDIS Tefetron Bemalimat Bkletn Masweged Mahiber.

 

A selection of participants at the workshop. In the foreground and from left to right are: Faith Kwebaze, National Community of Women Living with HIV&AIDS in Uganda; Juliet Muhumuza

National Coalition of Women with AIDS in Uganda; and Eunice Wanjiku Ndung’u, Ogiek Peoples Development Program.

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is administering a call to consultants with expertise in building comprehensive web-based databases. This project entails the development of an integrated Information Management System for multiple departments within AWDF. If interested, submit both technical and financial proposals to the AWDF.

The African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grant making Foundation that awards grants to Women’s rights organisation on the African continent. AWDF seeks to make information management a tool for organisational development and therefore is looking for a functional database that meets its needs. The Terms of Reference for the Consultant is attached.

All proposals should be sent to

The Officer in Charge

African Women’s Development Fund

P. O. Box PMB CT 89 Cantonments, Accra-Ghana

Tel: 0302 52 12 57

Email: awdf@africlub.net/awdf; sionne@africlub.net/awdf ; zeytuna@africlub.net/awdf

All Proposals should be sent in by February 28th 2014

Please click here for terms of reference

The 3rd assembly of the African Grantmakers Network (AGN) will take place in Accra, Ghana from the 17th-19th November, 2014. This gathering will be hosted by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). The theme for this year’s AGN is ‘Philanthropy in Africa – People, Policies and Practice’.

A two day arts and culture festival, ‘AfriFEST’ will be held on the 15th and 16th of November in the lead up to the conference. AfriFEST will showcase how arts activism animates philanthropic practices across Africa. What are the diverse contributions African artists have made to the field of philanthropy? How does art and culture stimulate social transformation among our communities? These queries will be illustrated through a number of activities including film, music, a visual exhibition, fashion, theatre, discussions and more.

For more details of the AGN please click here

In May 2013, the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) held a strategic meeting with grantee partners, researchers and activists on African women’s economic empowerment and livelihoods. One of the immediate outcomes of this convening was a statement to the Africa regional meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Watch the video below for highlights of the meeting which included discussions on food sovereignty, seed security and land rights. Women featured in the video delivering presentations include Liz Hosken, Gaia Foundation; Nancy Kachingwe, independent consultant; Herschelle Milford, Surplus People Project; Happy Gloria Akhayalu, Busia Community Based Services and Hope Chigudu Chigudu, an independent consultant.

Earlier on this year the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) welcomed Golden Baobab into our network of grantee partners. The organisation has a powerful mission to:

“…fuel the global imagination through African children’s literature by inspiring the creation, ensuring the production and facilitating the distribution of enthralling, high quality, culturally relevant literary content by African writers and illustrators for African children“.

In line with AWDF’s goal of amplifying the voices of African women, and utilising the power of the Arts for gender equity and social transformation, Golden Baobab has received a grant of US$20,000 towards the production of an anthology of children’s stories authored by African women.

Deborah Ahenkorah, the founder of Golden Baobab in describing her motivation for the work she does has stated:

“Once upon a time, I was a little girl who loved to read. Now I am a social entrepreneur trying to create a world of wonder for African children who, for far too long, have failed to see themselves in the books they read.”

Golden Baobab is already making a difference in the production of childrens literature. One of their innovations is the Gee Bee bag packed with a selection of books. These are the kinds of books that African children will recognise themselves in. These books make ideal gifts not only during the festive season but all throughout the year. At AWDF we believe in gifts that make a difference so if you are looking for that perfect present for a child we recommend getting a Gee Bee bag.

See flyer below for details

Gee Bee Bag, the perfect gift for a child from Golden Baobab, an AWDF grantee partner
Deborah Ahenkorah

 

The Nisaa Institute for Women’s Development in South Africa has been a grantee partner of the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) since 2010, and to date has received US$15,000 in grants. AWDF has supported Nisaa to air ‘Change the Tune’, which comprises of selected pre-packaged radio programmes addressing issues around gender and gender based violence via selected community radio stations within the Southern African Development Community. The goal of ‘Change the Tune’ is to inform and engage listeners on issues of violence against women through active and critical dialogue. Nisaa has been successful in this endeavour. Feedback from listeners included the following:

“Thank you for the motivations you are giving to women on Inanda FM. I was also once married and in abusive relationship and can therefore relate to most of the things you are referring to. I have been separated from the man for 5 years, he does not support the kids nor see them, he refuses to sign divorce papers although, I have pleaded him too, for couple of times. When i go to the local magistrate, I get told I need to know where they can get hold of him as he is my husband. Sometimes the staff at the Magistrate, rub it on, now I understand why most women end up in jail and I still consider myself that I did not end up in jail for killing my perpetrator. It is so sore, only a person who has been there will understand it. I am still suffering, as I am still legally married to him.”

In November 2013, Nisaa published ‘Rising Up Moving On – Women Writing Our Lives’ with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and OXFAM Deutschland. This book is a testimony to the incredible work that Nisaa does in supporting women survivors of violence, and a credit to the women who have indeed risen, and moved on from abusive relationships. This book is also equally inspiring because the women who so bravely shared and wrote their stories are women who were not previously writers, yet through Nisaa’s supportive writing retreats have now been able to add to the collection of knowledge documenting African women’s stories. Sima Diar, Advocacy and Research Manager for Nisaa in describing the book stated:

“The book highlights the journeys of many women (of different races and different backgrounds) as they moved out of their abusive relationships. The book looks to inspire and motivate people to talk about violence against women, to encourage women currently in abusive relationship to seek help and to provide hope by emphasising that there is a way out“.

Download the book for free here.

“Let’s talk again about possible futures. What would the world look like if more grandmothers were given opportunities and support to help them to take on leadership roles? With 100,000 more women like Mariam sitting on local land councils, would property grabbing come to an end? With the counselling, support and encouragement of 100,000 more women like Zodwa, how much more quickly might we overcome stigma and fear, and get more people into treatment? Would the advocacy of 100,000 more women like Magret bring wife inheritance to an end? We’d surely be a lot closer to reaching those goals.” Theo Sowa, African Grandmothers Tribunal: Seeking justice at the frontlines of the AIDS conference

Read the full report here and check out the special edition of Stephen Lewis Foundation’s Grassroots newsletter dedicated to the trial with features, highlights and reflections on the Grandmothers Tribunal.