MONROVIA – Women leaders from across the African continent will gather for the Amujae Leadership Forum in Monrovia convened by the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development this weekend.
The Forum will address the theme of “Building Resilience” during uncertain times The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) is delighted to welcome women leaders from across the African continent to Monrovia for the second Amujae Leadership Forum.
The women taking part in the Forum are part of the Amujae Initiative, the EJS Center’s flagship program. The initiative prepares women to excel in the highest echelons of public leadership and bring other women along. Drawn from a diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds, the Amujae Leaders include members of parliament, a governor, a mayor, and several government ministers from 16 countries across Africa. They were selected through a rigorous application process from hundreds of applicants and they each have a track record of demonstrable achievements in public life and a drive to uplift African women and girls.
This year’s Forum will be the first gathering of Amujae Leaders since the official launch on March 8, 2020, on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic. Focused on the theme “Building Resilience,” the Forum aims to equip the Amujae Leaders with the tools to continue their leadership journeys through uncertain times and support their respective countries in rebuilding following COVID-19. It also harnesses the power of these accomplished women leaders in advancing women’s leadership in Liberia and across the African continent. The Amujae Leaders will hear from a range of distinguished speakers, including Madam Sirleaf, Amb. Deborah Malac, Former Ambassador of the United States to Liberia and EJS Center Board members during the private, three-day Forum.
Addressing the Amujae Leaders ahead of the Forum, Madam Sirleaf said: “We’ve been waiting for this to happen. We’re excited about all you will exchange among yourselves, and we are looking forward to what will be a great three days. “We hope you will leave more emboldened, more empowered, and more ready to take on whatever comes your way as you seek to achieve your leadership goals.” The Amujae Leadership Forum has been organized with support from Big Win Philanthropy.
About the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development:
The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) was founded in 2018 to be a catalyst for political and social change across Africa by helping unleash its most abundant latent power — its women. The EJS Center aims to amplify the voice of women and girls in all spheres of life by increasing the representation of women in public service leadership roles in Africa. Through a unique blend of programming, advocacy, archival research, and museum exhibitions, the EJS Center seeks to become a premier institution dedicated to advancing and sustaining women’s political and social development on the continent. Through its work, the EJS Center envisions more voices heard, talents unleashed, and leaders launched that prioritize the aspirations of women. Its mission is to champion women’s ascension to the highest levels of leadership and challenge systemic barriers to girls’ and women’s advancement. As the first democratically elected woman president in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led Liberia from 2006-2018. Having been recognized internationally for her leadership, she is passionate about supporting the next generation of women in public life across the continent.