Cover Image for Africa's Women's Day Celebration 2025| Celebrating Women of African Descent

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Africa's Women's Day Celebration 2025| Celebrating Women of African Descent

Hosted by Africa's Women's Day

Zoom

Past Event

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About Event

JULY IS AFRICA'S WOMEN'S DAY AWARENESS MONTH!

Event Date: Thursday, July 31st, 2025

Event Time: 17:00 - 20:00 (5 PM - 8 PM) CAT/GMT+2

Theme: "Rooted in Greatness: Celebrating Women of African Descent

About Africa’s Women's Day:

Do you know that Africa’s Women's Day has been in existence since 1962?

Do you know that before America had its First female Vice President (after over 244 years of independence), Africa already had 26 Female presidents and Prime ministers?

Do you know that Africa had its first Prime Minister (Honourable Elisabeth Domitien, from 1975-1976) before Britain had Margret Thatcher?

The Africa's Women's Day Awareness Team (AWD) focuses on raising more awareness about Africa's Women's Day and spotlighting the legacy of African Women, recognizing their visionary, bold, pioneering historical achievements and contribution to Africa and the world at large.

Africa’s Women's Day was proclaimed as a day to be commemorated during the first conference of the Pan-African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) which was held in July 1962 in Dar es Salaam Tanganyika (now known as Tanzania). It offers a national, continental, and global opportunity to recall and affirm the significant role of African women in the evolution of a strong Pan-African identity, with shared values, objectives, and vision for the future, as well as women being key contributors towards achieving Africa’s inclusive growth and sustainable development agenda anchored in the African Union (AU) vision of an integrated prosperous and peaceful Africa.

PAWO - the specialized agency of the African Union dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, is a representative organization of women on the African continent with five regional offices in all 55 Member States of the African Union.

Its objectives, amongst others, are:

To strive to achieve effective and responsible participation of African women in the socio-economic and cultural development of Africa;
To pursue the struggle for the representation of women at decision-making levels;
To fight for women’s empowerment and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

About Africa’s Women's Day Awareness Celebration 2025:

From Harlem to Haiti, Paris to Port of Spain, the brilliance, strength, and legacy of women of African descent have lit up every corner of the globe. This year, as we celebrate the 5th anniversary of Africa's Women’s Day Awareness (marking five powerful years of raising global awareness for Africa’s Women’s Day), we’re inviting the world to pause, reflect, and celebrate those women who carry the greatness of Africa in their roots, wherever they may live.

Our theme this year, “Rooted in Greatness: Celebrating Women of African Descent,” is a tribute to women across the diaspora who have led, innovated, healed, built, and inspired, all while navigating the beautiful complexities of identity, legacy, and belonging.

💭 But let’s talk about something real...

We understand that for many, “African descent” can be a deeply personal, even complicated conversation. History has created distance, emotionally, physically, and generationally, and not everyone feels immediately connected to a continent that feels more symbolic than personal.

That’s okay. That’s exactly why this space exists!

This is not about how African you are, where you were born, or what languages you speak. It’s about acknowledging the greatness that lives in your lineage, recognizing that the story didn’t start in struggle. It started in power.

What to Expect:

A powerful virtual celebration featuring women of African descent from across the globe
Honoree Spotlights: 31 extraordinary women celebrated throughout July
Live Keynotes & Storytelling Sessions from women shaping culture, business, policy, and art
Community connection, and global sisterhood
A beautifully curated reminder that we are more connected than we think

Past AWD Awareness Events:

In preceding years, our focus has been dedicated to recognizing the exceptional contributions of African female leaders, with a spotlight on Presidents and Prime ministers in 2021, followed by a tribute to the Unsung Heroines of Africa in 2022. The AWD awareness initiative of 2023 showcased African Female Founders and CEOs, spotlighting the remarkable endeavors of women reshaping the business landscape across the continent and last year we celebrated African Women Leading the Climate Change Revolution. These events successfully illuminated the extraordinary achievements of African women, unveiling hidden gems from all over Africa who have made and are still making significant strides.

Distinguished guest speakers from our previous virtual events have included highly influential figures, such as Her Excellency Joyce Banda (First Female President of Malawi), Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (First Female Chair of the African Union Commission), Her Excellency Mrs. Monica Chakwera (First Lady of the Republic of Malawi), Hon. Maria Das Neves (First Female Prime Minister of Sao-Tome and Principe), Her Excellency Catherine Samba-Panza (First Female President of the Central African Republic), Hon. Grace Kabayo (Secretary of the Pan African Women’s Organization, PAWO), as well as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Director General of the World Trade Organization), Wanjira Mathai, Chair of the Wangari Maathai Foundation and Managing Director at the World Resources Institute, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE, Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone and Co-Chair of the C40 Cities Global Group, Fati N’Zi Hassane, Director of Oxfam in Africa among other beautiful African women. These distinguished women generously shared their insights, experiences, and journeys, inspiring countless individuals across the continent.

Through our concerted efforts, we have managed to surmount the challenge of limited awareness, effectively engaging numerous individuals across the globe and bestowing upon African women the recognition they rightfully deserve.

Our ultimate objective is to reframe the narrative surrounding African women, ensuring that our history is communicated accurately while simultaneously inspiring the next generation of Africans.

Meet Our Guest Speakers:

Professor Verene A. Shepherd, CD, FCCS (Jamaica)

Professor Verene Shepherd is a globally respected historian, activist scholar, and United Nations human rights expert. She is Professor Emerita at The University of the West Indies and served as Chair of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination — the first Black woman in the African diaspora to hold the post. She is also Vice Chair of the CARICOM Reparations Commission and a passionate advocate for historical justice, gender equity, and reparatory justice for people of African descent. A prolific author, sought-after speaker, and the former Director of the Centre for Reparation Research, her work continues to influence policies and minds across continents.

Join us as she brings her insight and vision to the panel on “Reclaiming What’s Owed: African Women Advancing the Global Reparations Agenda.”

Tera Carissa Hodges (USA)

Tera Carissa Hodges is a globally recognized faith-based empowerment speaker, certified life coach, and founder of LR Global Media Group. She has inspired women in over 25 countries to walk in purpose, heal from past pain, and live boldly with spiritual clarity. An ordained minister and bestselling author, Tera’s message of legacy, faith, and inner strength has been featured on platforms like Essence Magazine and The Word Network.

Join us as she brings her powerful voice to the 2025 Africa’s Women’s Day Awareness celebration!

Esther Xosei (UK)

Esther Xosei is a British jurisconsult, Pan-African scholar, and reparations activist whose advocacy has transformed global conversations on reparatory justice. She co-founded PARCOE and is the Executive Director of the Stop the Maangamizi Campaign. Her work goes beyond legal arguments, grounding reparations in spiritual, environmental, and systemic healing for people of African descent across the globe.

Join us as she lends her brilliant voice and insight to this year’s Africa’s Women’s Day Awareness panel!

Meet Our Fantastic Moderator: Emma Rashidi Kawawa (Tanzania)

Emma Rashidi Kawawa is a trailblazing Tanzanian leader with over 30 years of experience in public and private sector management. She is the Founder and CEO of Tanzania Women CEOs Roundtable (TWCR) and Entango Investments Ltd, and currently serves as Vice Chairperson of Women Arise Africa and Country Director for New Faces New Voices (Graca Machel Trust Network), among other regional and global roles.

A passionate advocate for women’s economic empowerment, Emma sits on numerous boards and leads initiatives focused on agribusiness, innovation, and inclusive leadership. Her motto, “Lifting others as we climb,” reflects her deep commitment to transformation and legacy-building for women and youth across Africa.

We’re honored to have her moderate this year’s powerful conversation: “Reclaiming What’s Owed: African Women Advancing the Global Reparations Agenda.”

Partnership Announcement:

We’re excited to welcome BOLD Swim as an official partner for this year’s Africa’s Women’s Day Awareness virtual celebration!

Founded by the phenomenal Tiffany Asamoah, BOLD Swim is a globally recognized, Black-owned swimwear brand that embodies representation, sustainability, and self-love. With features in Vogue, Sports Illustrated, Glamour, and more, their pieces empower every woman to feel confident, in and out of the water. As Tiffany returns to Ghana and prepares to launch a special Black Star Experience Collection, we’re proud to collaborate with a brand that shares our heart for African heritage, bold expression, and global excellence.

Explore their collection here: www.boldswim.com

Because this celebration isn’t just about the past, it’s about the powerful women shaping the future. Join us as we celebrate the beauty, brilliance, and boldness of women of African descent

Your Humble Hosts:

Joy Wanjiru Zenz 🇰🇪🇩🇪, Abigail Adaeze Egbunine 🇳🇬, and Lumbie Mlambo 🇿🇼🇺🇸 will be guiding us through an inspiring evening of connection, celebration, and deep conversations as we honor 31 phenomenal women of African descent!

Our Partners and Sponsors:

With deep gratitude, we celebrate our incredible partners and sponsors who have stood with us for this year’s Africa’s Women’s Day Awareness Celebration 💐 Your support helps us shine a spotlight on the brilliance, strength, and legacy of women of African descent across the globe. THANK YOU for believing in our mission and amplifying our message.

We are still welcoming sponsors and partners who want to be part of this meaningful work. Whether it's $300, $500, or any contribution in kind or cash, your support makes a difference and your brand will be featured on our website, promotional materials, and event broadcast.

📧 Please Get in touch: africaswomenday@gmail.com 🌐 Learn more: www.africaswomenday.africa

Why You Should Attend:

Because we all need stories that reflect our strength.
Because identity doesn’t have to be either/or — it can be both/and Because this is a space that holds history, honors complexity, and still says: you belong.

🎟️ Registration is FREE!

All are welcome, whether you identify deeply with your African roots or you’re still exploring what that means for you. Allies, friends, curious hearts — pull up! Let’s celebrate greatness, together.

👉🏾 Hit the “Register” button and join us for this global moment of reflection, celebration, and connection.