ZAMBIAN ELECTED TO THE FEMNET BOARD

By Carlyn Hambuba and Sally Chiwama

Zambian Journalist Sally Chiwama has been elected as Board member of the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET).

FEMNET is a pan- African organisation that works to promote women’s rights in Africa. Ms Chiwama who is also Zambia Media women Association Secretary was elected at the FEMNET tri-annual Programming Conference and General Assembly held from 16th – 18th October, 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme “African Women’s Decade: Expanding Our Dreams”.

She becomes one of the youngest board members of the Pan African Organisation. Ms. Jacqueline Sylvie Ndongmo from Cameroon was elected Chairperson. Ms. Ndongmo takes over from Mama Koite Doumbia from Mali, who successfully held the position for 2 terms (three year each) from 2003 to 2010.

The conference was attended by over one hundred and twenty (120) African Women members of FEMNET and partners from 33 African countries. The conference was also aimed at reflecting on critical issues for African women and also to strategise on how FEMNET can and should respond to some of the challenges African women are experiencing, especially during the first 3 years of the African Women’s Decade (2010-2020) which was recently launched by the African Union. Ms. Margaret Ali from Malawi was elected as Treasurer.

Other members of the new 13 board members are drawn from women’s Organisations in the five sub regions of Africa as indicated in the table below. Sub Region Representative to the Executive Board Representative to the Board of Trustees Eastern Africa Ms Patricia Munabi (Uganda) Ms. Fatma Ahmed (Sudan) Ms. Mary Okioma (Kenya) (Resident Trustee) Central Africa Ms. Onanga Nguenoni (Congo Brazzaville) Ms. Umurungi Assumpta (Rwanda) Western Africa Ms. Celestine Navigue (Cote d’Ivoire) Ms. Ndeye Astou Sylla (Senegal) Northern Africa Ms. Souad Belaazi (Tunisia) Ms. Imane Belghiti (Morocco) Southern Africa Ms. Emma Kaliya (Secretary) Ms. Sally Chiwama (Zambia).

It’s with pleasure that FEMNET introduces the new team of thirteen dedicated women elected to represent their sub-region on FEMNET Board.

For more information, please contact: Norah Matovu-Winyi Executive Director FEMNET: Tel 254 20 2712971/2 Email: director@femnet.or.ke

Add a comment October 20, 2010