Muadi Mukenge on empowering women in Sub-Saharan Africa

By: John Upton
Examiner Staff Writer
October 27, 2009

Muadi Mukenge (courtesy photo)

The manager of the Global Fund for Women’s Sub-Saharan Africa program will speak Wednesday morning during the PINK Empowerment Series’ women’s leadership conference at the Marriott Marquis at 55 Fourth St. The Global Fund for Women is an international network of women and men who advocate for and defend women’s human rights by developing grants to support women’s groups around the world.

What does your work involve? I manage the Global Fund for Women’s grant-making portfolio for Sub-Saharan Africa, so I review proposals, work with grantees and raise awareness about the work of African activists.

What will you talk about Wednesday? I’ll talk to business women about the similarities between challenges facing women in the U.S. and the challenges around the world, and highlight women around the world promoting gender equality and making their communities more peaceful and more just.

What are some of the similarities in the challenges? Popular beliefs that don’t value women’s contributions, sexual harassment in the workplace, income disparity and few women being in management positions in the business sector.

What are some of the unique challenges facing women in Sub-Saharan Africa? Challenges include militarization, high rates of gender violence, the inability of women to practice their reproductive rights and problems of governance.

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Reader Comments

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VINCENT MARK ABEDI

Oct 27, 2009

I WILL BE HAPPY TO BE PART OF THIS IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION WITH MY COLLEAGUES STUDENT IN THE INSTITUTE OF ADULT EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

Dr. REINE DJUIDJE KOUAM

Oct 28, 2009

Few african women activists have the opportunity to share these daily challenges highlighted by Muadi MUKENGE with other western women. Having someone raising awareness on these crucial issues will surely help advance global solidarity for African women empowerment.

Mrs Chinyere Nwachukwu

Oct 29, 2009

Yes for me as a woman activist,haven been victim of violence against women in Africa,I have promised to uphold and support the dignity of women in Nigeria and world over with the organisation I work for (women and youths development initiatives foundation).As many women in Africa are been not allowed to participate with their full potentials.Beside,Muadi MUKENGE has given African women activists the opportunity to share these daily challenges highlighted with their counterparts in the western world. Today,haven someone like Muadi MUKENGE who has raised awareness on these crucial issues,i believe will surely help advance global solidarity for African women empowerment now and in future.

Elizabeth Ndubisi-Ukandu

Nov 3, 2009

Great. I am happy that there is a voice out there to continue to bring focus on the peculiar issues facing women in sub-saharan Africa. As a doctoral candidate in a Public Health program, my goal will be to join forces with organizations out there on self-help initiatives for sustainable outcomes. Ms. Mukenge should please try to extend information on her program to various universities. There are willing advocates who lack information on where to begin.