African women have been challenged to come up with strategies that will help address the numerous challenges faced by women on the continent.

The challenge was thrown to them at the opening of the 2013 African Women in Leadership Conference currently underway at Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria.

This year’s conference, under the theme, “African Women of Worth” is being attended by some 500 delegates from Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and Ethiopia.

Founder and CEO of the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO), Elisha Attai explained the reason for the choice of the conference theme.

“The core belief driving this African women in leadership organization is that the true worth of a person ought to be measured more by what is given freely rather than what a person has, receives or keeps.

We also believe that the purpose of every life is to help others and contribute our quota to society”.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Conference, the Senator for Akwa Ibom South, Helen Esuene, said the modern African woman is seeking self-transformation and an opportunity to contribute her quota to development, adding that the African woman of worth must also challenge the status quo.

“The African woman of worth must be ambitious and forward looking. We must not be satisfied with the status quo. But also, she must have time to mentor the young generation. There has to be a process of handing over the baton.

Whilst striving for financial independence, which is very important, the harmony of her home and the proper upbringing of her children must not be compromised, because if we lose the younger generation then we have lost everything.”

Ten African women in executive positions will be speaking on different topics during the three day conference.

The speakers include, Jewel Howard-Taylor, wife of former Liberian leader, Charles Taylor, Comfort Ocran CEO of Legacy and Legacy Ghana, Ghanaian fashion designer Renee Q Boateng and Gloria Buckman Yankson, a senior managing partner at PlanIt Ghana.