Erstwhile President of the Republic of Mauritius, Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has stressed the need for women to support and lift one another despite the many obstacles on the road to gender equality.

According to her, the current generation of women have the power to bend the arch of history towards classified gender equality and more inclusive global economic growth.

She explained that it is a moral and economic imperative that would bring together strong, audacious women to achieve this feat much sooner than a century and half from now.

Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim was speaking at this year’s International Forum as Keynote Speaker in Accra today themed “Setting New Paradigms for Women’s Leadership in Africa.”

The Accra conference provides the platform for those who have travelled the path of leadership to share their experiences and reexamine the issues that continue to perpetuate the disparities and explore new ways of tackling the issues relating to gender equality and inclusion, especially in Africa.

The former President stated that the African continent especially needed more women who can raise awareness and lead by examples hence reiterating a popular quote by American politician and diplomat, Madeleine Albright, she noted that “There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.”

“One of the greatest gift of leadership is the approach to work every day with and for the next generation. Leading by example, learning from the inside and sharing ideas to keep the momentum going. Integrating female aspects into leadership creates more acceptance and innovation. We possess great, untapped strength such as our propensity for compassion. Our desire to create a better world for our children.” She emphasized.



Among the high-profiled personalities who attended SHEROES 2019 included Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, Ghana’s first female Chief of Staff at the Presidency, Veteran Politician Christine Churcher, who is also Board Chair of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited, Former First Lady Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Senior Economic Advisor, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative, Nigeria, and co-founder of the “Bring Back our Girls Campaign,” Dr. Joice Mujuru, former Vice President of Zimbabwe, and Mrs. Clar Weah, First Lady of the Republic of Liberia.