This year 2011 is the 100th year celebration of women’s day. Women have come a long way to be where they are today. It is still a man’s world however, because most leadership positions are still the domain of men even though studies have shown that women are better leaders than men.
In certain parts of the world women are still treated as men’s property and have fewer opportunities to express themselves. However in the Western world, where women have had more opportunities it seems though like nothing much has changed in terms of perception.
More and more women seem to value themselves by their sexuality and are losing their dignity as women in the process. As long as women accept to be defined as “sex objects” paraded for men’s gratification, something is lost in the cause for women.
As we celebrate this 100th years, this writer honors the achievement of ten African women who have had an impact nationally and internationally.
1) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia)
Ellen Johnson is a Harvard trained administrator and the 24th elected president for Liberia. She is also the first woman to be elected president in Africa. She took over the presidency when Liberia was very fragile after many years of civil war. Since her election to the presidency in 2006, Johnson is said to have ”revived national hope by strengthening the institutions of national security and good governance”.
This has apparently led to the “revitalization of the national economy and infrastructure” as well as ”restoring Liberia’s international reputation and credibility”. Liberia currently has one of the fastest growing economies on the continent of Africa. Ellen Johnson has received many awards and honorary doctoral degrees for her able leadership.
2) Professor Wangari Maathai (Kenya)
Professor Wangari Maathai is a Kenyan woman with many first to her name. She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree and the first woman to be chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy (1976) and an associate professor (1977) in Kenya.
Professor Wangari is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. She is tenuous in her efforts and she managed to stop the Kenyan government, then led by president Moi, in building offices at the famous Uhuru Park (freedom park). During her campaign against the endeavor she was insulted by the male dominated leadership attacking her gender and personal life. She is often quoted for her response to the men when she challenged them to forget “ the anatomy below the belt, but focus on the anatomy above the neck”.
Read more: http://trifter.com/africa/south-africa/ten-african-women-who-have-made-a-postive-impact-nationally-and-internationally-part-1/#ixzz1N0e8dqiD
In certain parts of the world women are still treated as men’s property and have fewer opportunities to express themselves. However in the Western world, where women have had more opportunities it seems though like nothing much has changed in terms of perception.
More and more women seem to value themselves by their sexuality and are losing their dignity as women in the process. As long as women accept to be defined as “sex objects” paraded for men’s gratification, something is lost in the cause for women.
As we celebrate this 100th years, this writer honors the achievement of ten African women who have had an impact nationally and internationally.
1) Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia)
Ellen Johnson is a Harvard trained administrator and the 24th elected president for Liberia. She is also the first woman to be elected president in Africa. She took over the presidency when Liberia was very fragile after many years of civil war. Since her election to the presidency in 2006, Johnson is said to have ”revived national hope by strengthening the institutions of national security and good governance”.
This has apparently led to the “revitalization of the national economy and infrastructure” as well as ”restoring Liberia’s international reputation and credibility”. Liberia currently has one of the fastest growing economies on the continent of Africa. Ellen Johnson has received many awards and honorary doctoral degrees for her able leadership.
2) Professor Wangari Maathai (Kenya)
Professor Wangari Maathai is a Kenyan woman with many first to her name. She was the first woman in East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate degree and the first woman to be chair of the Department of Veterinary Anatomy (1976) and an associate professor (1977) in Kenya.
Professor Wangari is internationally recognized for her persistent struggle for democracy, human rights and environmental conservation. She is tenuous in her efforts and she managed to stop the Kenyan government, then led by president Moi, in building offices at the famous Uhuru Park (freedom park). During her campaign against the endeavor she was insulted by the male dominated leadership attacking her gender and personal life. She is often quoted for her response to the men when she challenged them to forget “ the anatomy below the belt, but focus on the anatomy above the neck”.
Read more: http://trifter.com/africa/south-africa/ten-african-women-who-have-made-a-postive-impact-nationally-and-internationally-part-1/#ixzz1N0e8dqiD
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