Women Rebuilding Africa Program (WRAP)
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
“The greatest revolution in any country is the one that affects positively the lives of women, and there is no doubt that, if women are encouraged to realise their potential, that it’s not only their life which would be affected but the life and situation of the whole household which is the basic unit of our national economy.”
Jawaharlal Nehru, the father of Mrs Indira Gandi
Project Title:
Personal and Business Development Program for women in Cape Town
“Creating awareness of economic possibilities in the Country”
Project managed
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Cape Town, 22 September 2008
To: Whom it may concern
Re: Personal and Business Development Programme
Dear Sir or Madam,
Leading Women of Africa is pleased to present this proposal for your review. We look forward to partnering with you to provide access to Personal and Business Support to many women in SMMEs in Cape Town.
The objective of this Personal and Business Development Programme is to provide vital personal and business information and tools to women to in order to assist them start or grow their business to a sustainable level.
Leading Women of Africa was officially launched in May 2008 during the “1st Leading Businesswomen of Africa that took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 18-21 May 2008. (please visit www.leadingwomenofafrica.com).
Leading Women of Africa has also launched its own magazine , Feminar, the Leading Women of Africa Magazine, to promote the Contribution of women in process of peace and stability on the Continent.
During the past few months, we have been identifying leaders across the continent that will be in charge of implementing various projects across the Continent. The process is being successfully implemented and we are pleased to informed you that Leading Women of Africa is operating in over ten (10) African Countries already.
We look forward to collaborating with you as we journey together for empowerment of women in Cape Town, South Africa and Africa.
Yours truly,
Madelein Mkunu
Founder and CEO
Introduction
The Beijing conference that took place in 1995 stressed the empowerment of women as one of the central development goals of the 21st century. Commission on Status of women would urge governments to take all necessary measures to empower women and strengthen their economic independence and to protect and promote their full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In the Millennium declaration in September 2000, Governments commit to promote gender equality and empowerment of women as one of the effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and diseases and to stimulate developments that is truly sustainable. A series of time-bound targets, now know as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set, with deadline of 2015.
These MDGs are:
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Achieve Universal primary education
promote gender equality and women’s empowerment
Reduce child mortality
Improve maternal health
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Ensure Environmental sustainability
Develop a global partnership for development
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2007 suggests that some progress is being made but that the MDGs will be attained only if concerted additional action is taken immediately and sustained until 2015. many challenges still need to be addressed, including women’s health, poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDS. The same report confirms that:
- Over half a million women still die each year from treatable and preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth
- If current trends continue, the target of halving the proportion of underweight children will be missed by 30 Million children
- The number of people dying from AIDS worldwide increased to 2.9 million in 2006
- Half the population of developing world lack basic sanitation. In order to meet the MDG target, an additional 1.6 billion people will need access to improved sanitation. If trends since 1990 continue, the world is likely to miss the target by almost 600 million people.
The above data show clearly that more efforts need to be put in place to fast track the process of reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
In its quest to contribute in the process of African Development, Leading Women of Africa suggests another approach to accelerate progress in attaining the MDGs by 2015.
Promoting Unity of women of Africa and reinforcing their Economic Empowerment will play significant role in the achievement of MDGs, through 8 TOP Priorities set by the Organisation:
Personal Development ( poverty mentality…)
Economic Empowerment (Inter-Trade, Job creation, Income generating activities…)
Communication and Technology
Women’s Health
Farming Technology
Environment
Women’s Education and Literacy
Africanism: Knowledge of the African Continent (geography, history, culture…)
Leading Women of Africa would like to invite UN and its partners, African Governments and other African and International Institutions to partner them and assess the results by 2015. If all else failed; Women, united, will not!
Brief Summary
In its aim to offers support to black-owned Enterprises and aspiring business individuals in South Africa, the Government has put in place systems that provide access to business development services to such individuals or Companies in order to assist them identify their Business ideas, to improve their core competencies, upgrade managerial capabilities and restructure their processes to become more competitive.
In its mission to promote Economic Empowerment of Women, Leading Women of Africa has put in place “Personal and Business Development Programme” that facilitates and monitors Socio and economic empowerment of women in the formal and informal private sector and their positive implication in the Country’s Economy.
Leading Women of Africa is adopting these schemes run by various Government Institutions to reach more women in various Communities and empower them to identify their entrepreneurial skills or grow their businesses to a sustainable level.
Project Environment
This project will be established in various strategic communities in Blaawberg Municipality. This programme will be expanded in the whole Region after successful implementation.
Target Groups/Beneficiaries
In Blaawberg Municipality, targets include:
· Women previously disadvantaged such as Domestic workers, cleaners, unemployed women…
· Aspiring Business Women
· SMMEs women owners
Problem Statement
The main challenges facing women from above groups are:
Lack of realisation of own potential
Lack of easy access to vital business, life saving information and solutions for their personal and economic empowerment.
Lack of access to technology
Women want to free themselves from economic limitations and are in need to be informed of the support system available that can unleash their economic potential.
Project Aim & Objectives
Aim
The aim of this project is threefold: to empower women to realize their full potential; to introduce and use technology more effectively; and to facilitate linkage of information on the support systems offered by the Government.
Objectives
The Objectives of this project are to:
Unleash the full potential of target women
Facilitate access to business resources, information and opportunities
Identify and create market and business opportunities for women
Expose South African women in Small, Medium and Macro Enterprises to African and international trends
Connect growing businesses with assistance from Government Institutions
Promote use of technology a means of exchanging vital information for personal and business growth
Directing women to relevant service providers
Activities/Plan of Action
This Programme will be scheduled on Monthly Basis with one (1) session per week followed by practical home works.
The process of implementing this project will consist of:
· Identification of target market
· Invitation to participate in this programme and attend training sessions
· Guidance on how to access services already in place
· Orientation to access information technology Training
This project will run in conjunction with programmes already put in place by the Government.
· Black Business Supplier Development Programme, by the DTI
· Umsombovu Youth Funds
· Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)
· Computer Centres
All sessions will be digitally recorded with the purpose of building virtual modules on MP3 that will be used as wonderful tool to reach and educate women at large.
The program will cover the following topics
I. Personal Development programme
A. Building inner strength
Life Purpose: Everyone is born for a purpose (vision and passion)
Childhood vision: When you were a little girl (setting goals)
Building Self Esteem and Self worth
Unleashing your full potential (finding courage and inner strength to change)
Overcoming effects violence and abuse
Celebrating womanhood
B. Building relationships through Communication
Communicating effectively
Creating and nurturing relationships
Increasing productivity
Women in Leadership (different levels)
Communicating using technology
Using social networks to build relationships
II. Economic Empowerment
Financial literacy
Basic Financial management
Banking literacy
Home finances
Budgeting
Saving
Investing
Taxes
Financing education
Using technology in finance
Business management
Creating and evaluating business ideas
How to choose partners
Transitioning into business as an entrepreneur
Writing your Business Plan
Financing your business
Marketing your Business
Managing your Business
Growing your Business
Networking to increase business
Business Opportunities
1. Conducting market research
2. Identifying and evaluating business opportunities
3. Merging these opportunities with your business
4. Using the Internet to maximize opportunities
5. Entrepreneurship
From Cape to Cairo, Dakar to Mogadishu, Africa is covered with natural economic resources that know no limit. Women of Africa have an unimaginable potential, described by the World Bank, as African Economic Reserves. If taped, these reserves will change the face of Africa, once and for all.
III. Technological Empowerment
The main challenge facing African women is gaining easy access to vital, life saving information and solutions for their personal and economic empowerment.
This programme will encourage candidates the use technology as tool to be informed as well as grow their business. This part will introduce women to:
Introduction to computer and Internet
Joining the global network (Internet skills +)
Internet marketing your products (website, e-mail, picture…)
Using social networking to build business
New life with technology
IV. Practical guidance
Representatives from Business service providers will supply complete information on how to get necessary support.
Expected results
It is expected that our target group will be:
· Equipped to realize their full potential
· Informed about services available for them, therefore fast tracking their business sustainability.
Monitoring
Quarterly assessment will be conducted by experts to monitor progress of women in their daily activities and their business growth.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Financial Education for women of Africa
Women Rebuilding Africa Programme (WRAP)
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
Project Title:
Financial Education for Women of Africa
“Giving back the economic power”
Project managed
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Problematic
“EVERYBODY wants it. Nobody understands it. Money is the great taboo. People just won't talk about it. And that is what leads you to subprime. Take the greed and the financial misrepresentation out of it, and the root of this crisis is massive levels of financial illiteracy in South-Africa”, specially amongst women.
For years John Mkunu has been telling anyone who will listen about the problems caused by widespread ignorance of finance. Financial aid in Billion, has been poured in South- Africa by differents Donors and mainly the Government and others to support and give poor people in the worst-hit parts of the continent “a hand-up, not a handout” without a mixture of financial education, advice and basic banking knowledge. Among other things, we ask ourselves a simple question to many poors women in the poorest countries in Africa that what come first to lead them to financial freedom: Money or education? To our great surprise, 90% choose money education! To achieve the Millennium Development Goals , the founder of The Leading Women of Africa believe that poverty mentality is the main and driving force of poverty in Africa and anything to do with should start first by a personal development readiness .Since then, hour-long sessions has already been taken by hundreds of women of the grassroots, most of them in the SMMEs in the continent.
For too long,South- Africa's education system has failed to equip students and mainly African women with the knowledge they need to make good financial decisions. An alarming number of adults are unable to balance a checkbook, understand the terms of a basic mortgage, realize the benefits of compound interest, and properly manage credit card debt.
Today we are suffering the consequences.A lot of money have been given, and a lot of as well lost . We can see it in the subprime mortgage meltdown, skyrocketing credit card debt, personal bankruptcies, and a low savings rate. Beyond individual’s broken dreams, this lack of financial and economic education is threatening the competitiveness and wellbeing of our continent. So what can--and should--be done about it?
“Financial illiteracy is the greatest threat to the development of Africa because it undermines our fragile economy” says John Mkunu, Director of Mages Investment Africa. Education is the ultimate poverty eradication tool. When you know better, you do better....
And that is exactly the Leading Women of Africa concern of the moment: we can not empower women financially without teaching them about money and finance principles
That low-wealth communities, the world over, represent future emerging markets waiting to be born. That one person can make a diference, and we are that one. That we are all accountable and responsible for the world we live in, because it is literally the world we create. A little hope can make the difference.
The UK funded research into banking in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia,Botswana , Uganda,Tanzania and Kenya all seven Nations have a total population of 162 million (a fifth of the population of Africa) and a total adult population of 92 million . Only 27 million (29%) out of the 92 million adults have a bank account. Also 49% of adults in the seven countries use no financial products at all, not even informal products. There are 21 million people in the seven countries who don’t have bank account but , who do have access to, or own a mobile phone. About a third of the unbanked population
Of the 21 countries where estimated adult illiteracy rates remain high than 50 per cent, 13 are located in Sub – Saharan Africa. Women account for two-thirds of them.
At present more than two billion people, many of them living on less than $1 a day do not have access to basic financial services taken for granted in rich countries, such as bank accounts, insurance or loans.
Africa has the world’s lowest savings rate and financial literacy levels - in Zambia nearly 50% of the adult population don’t understand how to use basic financial products such as savings accounts. And while only one in 13 people in the UK doesn't have a bank
account, in Africa the figure is almost three in four. But financial education can make a real difference by increasing awareness and the use of financial services, which in turn promotes economic growth and helps to tackle poverty.
In a chat with a banker, online banking has not fully taken its ground in Sierra Leone. Though some banks claim to be operating with this new innovation, it has been observed that consumers have not started benefiting en mass from the services.
There are questions though about the workability of this service if it is introduced as anticipated. With a high-end internet users of about 60,000 and low end users of 30,000 in relevance to the approximately 250,000 active bank account holders in the country, online banking may be in for a hard time to succeed in Sierra.
If we don’t invest in women now by developing their financial literacy potentials we may loose definitly their valuable skills to poverty, ignorance, HIV/AIDS…and the list is long…
For more information about this project, please contact: Madelein Mkunu - info@leadingwomenofafrica.com
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
Project Title:
Financial Education for Women of Africa
“Giving back the economic power”
Project managed
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Problematic
“EVERYBODY wants it. Nobody understands it. Money is the great taboo. People just won't talk about it. And that is what leads you to subprime. Take the greed and the financial misrepresentation out of it, and the root of this crisis is massive levels of financial illiteracy in South-Africa”, specially amongst women.
For years John Mkunu has been telling anyone who will listen about the problems caused by widespread ignorance of finance. Financial aid in Billion, has been poured in South- Africa by differents Donors and mainly the Government and others to support and give poor people in the worst-hit parts of the continent “a hand-up, not a handout” without a mixture of financial education, advice and basic banking knowledge. Among other things, we ask ourselves a simple question to many poors women in the poorest countries in Africa that what come first to lead them to financial freedom: Money or education? To our great surprise, 90% choose money education! To achieve the Millennium Development Goals , the founder of The Leading Women of Africa believe that poverty mentality is the main and driving force of poverty in Africa and anything to do with should start first by a personal development readiness .Since then, hour-long sessions has already been taken by hundreds of women of the grassroots, most of them in the SMMEs in the continent.
For too long,South- Africa's education system has failed to equip students and mainly African women with the knowledge they need to make good financial decisions. An alarming number of adults are unable to balance a checkbook, understand the terms of a basic mortgage, realize the benefits of compound interest, and properly manage credit card debt.
Today we are suffering the consequences.A lot of money have been given, and a lot of as well lost . We can see it in the subprime mortgage meltdown, skyrocketing credit card debt, personal bankruptcies, and a low savings rate. Beyond individual’s broken dreams, this lack of financial and economic education is threatening the competitiveness and wellbeing of our continent. So what can--and should--be done about it?
“Financial illiteracy is the greatest threat to the development of Africa because it undermines our fragile economy” says John Mkunu, Director of Mages Investment Africa. Education is the ultimate poverty eradication tool. When you know better, you do better....
And that is exactly the Leading Women of Africa concern of the moment: we can not empower women financially without teaching them about money and finance principles
That low-wealth communities, the world over, represent future emerging markets waiting to be born. That one person can make a diference, and we are that one. That we are all accountable and responsible for the world we live in, because it is literally the world we create. A little hope can make the difference.
The UK funded research into banking in South Africa, Namibia, Zambia,Botswana , Uganda,Tanzania and Kenya all seven Nations have a total population of 162 million (a fifth of the population of Africa) and a total adult population of 92 million . Only 27 million (29%) out of the 92 million adults have a bank account. Also 49% of adults in the seven countries use no financial products at all, not even informal products. There are 21 million people in the seven countries who don’t have bank account but , who do have access to, or own a mobile phone. About a third of the unbanked population
Of the 21 countries where estimated adult illiteracy rates remain high than 50 per cent, 13 are located in Sub – Saharan Africa. Women account for two-thirds of them.
At present more than two billion people, many of them living on less than $1 a day do not have access to basic financial services taken for granted in rich countries, such as bank accounts, insurance or loans.
Africa has the world’s lowest savings rate and financial literacy levels - in Zambia nearly 50% of the adult population don’t understand how to use basic financial products such as savings accounts. And while only one in 13 people in the UK doesn't have a bank
account, in Africa the figure is almost three in four. But financial education can make a real difference by increasing awareness and the use of financial services, which in turn promotes economic growth and helps to tackle poverty.
In a chat with a banker, online banking has not fully taken its ground in Sierra Leone. Though some banks claim to be operating with this new innovation, it has been observed that consumers have not started benefiting en mass from the services.
There are questions though about the workability of this service if it is introduced as anticipated. With a high-end internet users of about 60,000 and low end users of 30,000 in relevance to the approximately 250,000 active bank account holders in the country, online banking may be in for a hard time to succeed in Sierra.
If we don’t invest in women now by developing their financial literacy potentials we may loose definitly their valuable skills to poverty, ignorance, HIV/AIDS…and the list is long…
For more information about this project, please contact: Madelein Mkunu - info@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Leading Women of Africa Round Table
Women Rebuilding Africa Programme (WRAP)
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
Project Title:
Leading Women of Africa ROUNDTABLE
“Bridging the gap of Communication and Technology for women of Africa through teleconference”
Project managed
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Cape Town, 15 September 2008
To: Whom it may concern
Re: Leading Women of Africa ROUND TABLE
Dear Sir or Madam
Leading Women of Africa is pleased to present this proposal for your review. We look forward to partnering with you to provide access to communication with millions of African women boxed in rural areas of Africa until the recent century, through “teleconference”. The objective of this Roundtable project is to access as many women as possible in order to exchange information with them while technologically empowering them.
During the past few months, we have been identifying leaders across the continent that will be in charge of implementing various projects on the Continent. The process is being successfully implemented and we are pleased to informed you that Leading Women of Africa is operating in over ten (10) African Countries already.
We have been using skype to connect with our leaders in Africa and now we are seeking to expand by reaching more women in areas where there is no technological signal yet. We are aware of difficulty to introduce this project; however with little assistance from interested parties, we can reach our objectives. I would encourage you to visit our website on www.leadingwomenofafrica.com .
We look forward to collaborating with you as we journey together for empowerment of women at grassroots level.
Yours truly,
Madelein Mkunu
Founder and CEO
Leading Women of Africa
Brief Summary
The Developed World is characterized by increasing and efficient use of technology. Technology has generally improved life and business in all segments and sectors of society. Unfortunately, African continent has not kept pace with technological advancement.
"The information gap is very real and clearly whatever we can do to close it must be encouraged," Manuel told a news conference in Berlin on the UN-backed millennium development goals.
"Any initiative that can leapfrog over traditional means of getting information to people must be encouraged. Information is power and it supports democracy and it supports decision-making."
For centuries, Africans in general and women in particular have been boxed in their under-developed environment and had little information outside their areas. Even though the use of mobile phones is on rise in Africa, the high cost of access is relatively high for women, who make up the majority of the poor in developing countries.
Leading Women of Africa (LWA) introduces Leading Women of Africa ROUNDTABLE using “teleconference” technology as one of the effective means to connect women of Africa (from grassroots level) with each other African as well as global women and allowing them to access vital information that will shape their future.
The use of Communication and technology will allow women to change the level at which they communicate and adopt a new perspective on the world.
Women will still be living locally but can become more aware of what is going on globally. This project represents the beginning of Unity and Economic Empowerment of Women of Africa.
Project Environment
Leading Women of Africa Roundtable Project is to be established in various strategic communities of the Continent that can facilitate to reach women at grassroots level through our inter-continental offices.
Target Groups/Beneficiaries
· The first target group is Board members of Leading Women of Africa
· The second target group is women leaders at all levels
· The third and ultimate target group is women at grassroots level in Africa.
LWA will be working directly with above groups of women with the belief that women of Africa at every level will benefit from this project.
Problem Statement
The main challenge facing African women is gaining easy access to vital, life-saving information and solutions for their personal and economic development and empowerment.
Many women in Africa are poorly placed to benefit from a knowledge society because they have less access to resources of communication and technology.
Women want to be active in the process of development of Africa, but they are in serious need of knowledge and skills.
Women in Africa need to be to be “connected” with outside world in order to establish the beginnings of relationship between themselves and the rest of the world to shape a better future for the generation to come.
Project Mission & Objectives
Mission
The mission of this project is to facilitate effective communication for millions of African women that are boxed in the rural areas of the Continent to allow them to exchange information with outside world.
Objectives
It is expected that this project will:
- Facilitate connection and interaction between women of Africa and global women
- Unlock solutions to progressive approach for true women empowerment
- Facilitate Leading Women of Africa Board members regular meetings
- Facilitate linkage of information between rural and urban women
- Expose women at grassroots level to new trends of technology
- Fast Track the technological empowerment of women
- Assist to identify the economic potential of women in the rural areas
- Facilitate education and training for women using technology
Activities/Plan of Action
First, it will be necessary to establish a minimum of 10 satellite offices in the 53 Countries, total of 530 satellite offices on the Continent.
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
Project Title:
Leading Women of Africa ROUNDTABLE
“Bridging the gap of Communication and Technology for women of Africa through teleconference”
Project managed
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Cape Town, 15 September 2008
To: Whom it may concern
Re: Leading Women of Africa ROUND TABLE
Dear Sir or Madam
Leading Women of Africa is pleased to present this proposal for your review. We look forward to partnering with you to provide access to communication with millions of African women boxed in rural areas of Africa until the recent century, through “teleconference”. The objective of this Roundtable project is to access as many women as possible in order to exchange information with them while technologically empowering them.
During the past few months, we have been identifying leaders across the continent that will be in charge of implementing various projects on the Continent. The process is being successfully implemented and we are pleased to informed you that Leading Women of Africa is operating in over ten (10) African Countries already.
We have been using skype to connect with our leaders in Africa and now we are seeking to expand by reaching more women in areas where there is no technological signal yet. We are aware of difficulty to introduce this project; however with little assistance from interested parties, we can reach our objectives. I would encourage you to visit our website on www.leadingwomenofafrica.com .
We look forward to collaborating with you as we journey together for empowerment of women at grassroots level.
Yours truly,
Madelein Mkunu
Founder and CEO
Leading Women of Africa
Brief Summary
The Developed World is characterized by increasing and efficient use of technology. Technology has generally improved life and business in all segments and sectors of society. Unfortunately, African continent has not kept pace with technological advancement.
"The information gap is very real and clearly whatever we can do to close it must be encouraged," Manuel told a news conference in Berlin on the UN-backed millennium development goals.
"Any initiative that can leapfrog over traditional means of getting information to people must be encouraged. Information is power and it supports democracy and it supports decision-making."
For centuries, Africans in general and women in particular have been boxed in their under-developed environment and had little information outside their areas. Even though the use of mobile phones is on rise in Africa, the high cost of access is relatively high for women, who make up the majority of the poor in developing countries.
Leading Women of Africa (LWA) introduces Leading Women of Africa ROUNDTABLE using “teleconference” technology as one of the effective means to connect women of Africa (from grassroots level) with each other African as well as global women and allowing them to access vital information that will shape their future.
The use of Communication and technology will allow women to change the level at which they communicate and adopt a new perspective on the world.
Women will still be living locally but can become more aware of what is going on globally. This project represents the beginning of Unity and Economic Empowerment of Women of Africa.
Project Environment
Leading Women of Africa Roundtable Project is to be established in various strategic communities of the Continent that can facilitate to reach women at grassroots level through our inter-continental offices.
Target Groups/Beneficiaries
· The first target group is Board members of Leading Women of Africa
· The second target group is women leaders at all levels
· The third and ultimate target group is women at grassroots level in Africa.
LWA will be working directly with above groups of women with the belief that women of Africa at every level will benefit from this project.
Problem Statement
The main challenge facing African women is gaining easy access to vital, life-saving information and solutions for their personal and economic development and empowerment.
Many women in Africa are poorly placed to benefit from a knowledge society because they have less access to resources of communication and technology.
Women want to be active in the process of development of Africa, but they are in serious need of knowledge and skills.
Women in Africa need to be to be “connected” with outside world in order to establish the beginnings of relationship between themselves and the rest of the world to shape a better future for the generation to come.
Project Mission & Objectives
Mission
The mission of this project is to facilitate effective communication for millions of African women that are boxed in the rural areas of the Continent to allow them to exchange information with outside world.
Objectives
It is expected that this project will:
- Facilitate connection and interaction between women of Africa and global women
- Unlock solutions to progressive approach for true women empowerment
- Facilitate Leading Women of Africa Board members regular meetings
- Facilitate linkage of information between rural and urban women
- Expose women at grassroots level to new trends of technology
- Fast Track the technological empowerment of women
- Assist to identify the economic potential of women in the rural areas
- Facilitate education and training for women using technology
Activities/Plan of Action
First, it will be necessary to establish a minimum of 10 satellite offices in the 53 Countries, total of 530 satellite offices on the Continent.
Women Rebuilding Africa Programme (WRAP)
Women Rebuilding Africa Programme (WRAP)
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
“The greatest revolution in any country is the one that affects positively the lives of women’, and
there is no doubt that, if women are encouraged to realise their potential, that it’s not only their life which would be affected but the life and situation of the whole household which is the basic unit of our national economy.”
Jawaharlal Nehru, the father of Mrs Indira Gandi
Partnership Proposal
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Cape Town, 23 September 2008,
To: Whom it may concern
Re: Reaching the Millennium development Goals through empowerment of Women
Dear Sir or Madam,
Leading Women of Africa is pleased to present this partnership proposal for your review. We would like to take this opportunity to invite the United Nations and its partners for Development, African Governments, other African and International institutions to partner with us by providing support as we move toward contributing in achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Leading Women of Africa was officially launched in May 2008, during the “1st Leading Businesswomen of Africa that took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 18-21 May 2008. (please visit www.leadingwomenofafrica.com).
During the past few months, we have been identifying leaders across the continent that will be in charge of implementing various projects on the Continent. The process is being successfully implemented and we are pleased to inform you that Leading Women of Africa is operating in over ten (10) African Countries already.
Our current projects include:
Leading Women of Africa Roundtable, “Bridging the gap of Communication and Technology for women of Africa through teleconference”
Personal and Business Development Program for women in Cape Town, South Africa
“Creating awareness of economic possibilities in the Country”
Feminar, the Leading Women of Africa Magazine (launched in May 2008)
Projects soon to be implemented:
Financial (banking) literacy for women of Africa, giving the financial power back to women
Women Leadership Centre Cape Town, empowering women through training and education
Women Rebuilding Africa Program (WRAP), partnering to develop the pilot to build virtual leadership teams in South Africa to deliver digital information to women at the grassroots level
Resource and information Centre for women of Africa, Website
An online African Shopping and business Opportunities Village, website
For more details about the above and more future projects, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leadingwomenofafrica.com .
We look forward to collaborating with you as we journey together for empowerment of women at grassroots level in Africa.
Yours truly,
Madelein Mkunu
Founder and CEO
Leading Women of Africa
Introduction
The Beijing conference that took place in 1995 stressed the empowerment of women as one of the central development goals of the 21st century. Commission on Status of women would urge governments to take all necessary measures to empower women and strengthen their economic independence and to protect and promote their full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In the Millennium declaration in September 2000, Governments commit to promote gender equality and empowerment of women as one of the effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and diseases and to stimulate developments that is truly sustainable. A series of time-bound targets, now know as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set, with deadline of 2015.
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2007 suggests that some progress is being made but that the MDGs will be attained only if concerted additional action is taken immediately and sustained until 2015. Many challenges still need to be addressed, including women’s health, poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDS. The same report confirms that:
- Over half a million women still die each year from treatable and preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth
- If current trends continue, the target of halving the proportion of underweight children will be missed by 30 Million children
- The number of people dying from AIDS worldwide increased to 2.9 million in 2006
- Half the population of developing world lack basic sanitation. In order to meet the MDG target, an additional 1.6 billion people will need access to improved sanitation. If trends since 1990 continue, the world is likely to miss the target by almost 600 million people.
The above data show clearly that more efforts need to be put in place to fast track the process of reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
In its quest to contribute in the process of African Development, Leading Women of Africa suggests another approach to accelerate progress in attaining the MDGs by 2015.
Promoting Unity of women of Africa and reinforcing their Economic Empowerment will play significant role in the achievement of MDGs, through 8 TOP Priorities set by the Organisation:
Personal Development (poverty mentality…)
Economic Empowerment (Inter-Trade, Job creation, Income generating activities…)
Communication and Technology
Women’s Health
Farming Technology
Environment
Women’s Education and Literacy
Africanism: Knowledge of the African Continent (geography, history, culture…)
Leading Women of Africa would like to invite UN and its partners, African Governments and other African and International Institutions to partner them. If all else failed; Women, united, will not!
Women Rebuilding Africa programme (WRAP)
I.PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Life Purpose: Everyone is born for a purpose (vision and passion)
Childhood vision: When you were a little girl (setting goals)
Building Self Esteem and Self worth
Unleashing your full potential (finding courage and inner strength to change)
Overcoming effects violence and abuse
Celebrating womanhood
Communicating effectively
Creating and nurturing relationships
Increasing productivity
Women in Leadership (different levels)
II. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Financial literacy
Basic Financial management
Banking literacy
Home finances
Budgeting
Saving
Investing
Taxes
Financing education
Business management
Creating and evaluating business ideas
How to choose partners
Transitioning into business as an entrepreneur
Writing your Business Plan
Financing your business
Marketing your Business
Managing your Business
Growing your Business
Networking to increase business
Business Opportunities
1. Conducting market research
2. Identifying and evaluating business opportunities
3. Merging these opportunities with your business
4. Using the Internet to maximize opportunities
5. Entrepreneurship
III. WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGY
Introduction to computer and Internet
Joining the global network (Internet skills +)
Internet marketing your products (website, e-mail, picture…)
New life with technology
IV. WOMEN IN FARMING - Education on Farming Technology
1. Improving working conditions
2. Growing better produce for sell, export
3. Using other methods: Organic, natural
4. Assessing your market and return on investment (Time, effort and money)
V. WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Preserving the environment
2. Using “green” products and methods
VI. WOMEN AND HEALTH
1. Knowing your own body
2. How to have safe pregnancy and birth
3. Using family planning
4. Preventing and living with HIV
5. Hygiene and related matters
6. Living healthier with good nutrition
VII. AFRICANISM – Learning about
1. African culture
2. African history
3. African geography
Conclusion: Achieving the Millennium Goals through empowerment of women
“Reaching Millennium Development Goals in Africa through Empowerment of women”
“The greatest revolution in any country is the one that affects positively the lives of women’, and
there is no doubt that, if women are encouraged to realise their potential, that it’s not only their life which would be affected but the life and situation of the whole household which is the basic unit of our national economy.”
Jawaharlal Nehru, the father of Mrs Indira Gandi
Partnership Proposal
By
Contact Person:
Madelein Mkunu
Tel: 002721 551 99 29
Mobile: 00 27 84 919 3398
E-mail: Madelein@leadingwomenofafrica.com
Cape Town, 23 September 2008,
To: Whom it may concern
Re: Reaching the Millennium development Goals through empowerment of Women
Dear Sir or Madam,
Leading Women of Africa is pleased to present this partnership proposal for your review. We would like to take this opportunity to invite the United Nations and its partners for Development, African Governments, other African and International institutions to partner with us by providing support as we move toward contributing in achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
Leading Women of Africa was officially launched in May 2008, during the “1st Leading Businesswomen of Africa that took place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 18-21 May 2008. (please visit www.leadingwomenofafrica.com).
During the past few months, we have been identifying leaders across the continent that will be in charge of implementing various projects on the Continent. The process is being successfully implemented and we are pleased to inform you that Leading Women of Africa is operating in over ten (10) African Countries already.
Our current projects include:
Leading Women of Africa Roundtable, “Bridging the gap of Communication and Technology for women of Africa through teleconference”
Personal and Business Development Program for women in Cape Town, South Africa
“Creating awareness of economic possibilities in the Country”
Feminar, the Leading Women of Africa Magazine (launched in May 2008)
Projects soon to be implemented:
Financial (banking) literacy for women of Africa, giving the financial power back to women
Women Leadership Centre Cape Town, empowering women through training and education
Women Rebuilding Africa Program (WRAP), partnering to develop the pilot to build virtual leadership teams in South Africa to deliver digital information to women at the grassroots level
Resource and information Centre for women of Africa, Website
An online African Shopping and business Opportunities Village, website
For more details about the above and more future projects, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@leadingwomenofafrica.com .
We look forward to collaborating with you as we journey together for empowerment of women at grassroots level in Africa.
Yours truly,
Madelein Mkunu
Founder and CEO
Leading Women of Africa
Introduction
The Beijing conference that took place in 1995 stressed the empowerment of women as one of the central development goals of the 21st century. Commission on Status of women would urge governments to take all necessary measures to empower women and strengthen their economic independence and to protect and promote their full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
In the Millennium declaration in September 2000, Governments commit to promote gender equality and empowerment of women as one of the effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and diseases and to stimulate developments that is truly sustainable. A series of time-bound targets, now know as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set, with deadline of 2015.
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2007 suggests that some progress is being made but that the MDGs will be attained only if concerted additional action is taken immediately and sustained until 2015. Many challenges still need to be addressed, including women’s health, poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDS. The same report confirms that:
- Over half a million women still die each year from treatable and preventable complications of pregnancy and childbirth
- If current trends continue, the target of halving the proportion of underweight children will be missed by 30 Million children
- The number of people dying from AIDS worldwide increased to 2.9 million in 2006
- Half the population of developing world lack basic sanitation. In order to meet the MDG target, an additional 1.6 billion people will need access to improved sanitation. If trends since 1990 continue, the world is likely to miss the target by almost 600 million people.
The above data show clearly that more efforts need to be put in place to fast track the process of reaching the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
In its quest to contribute in the process of African Development, Leading Women of Africa suggests another approach to accelerate progress in attaining the MDGs by 2015.
Promoting Unity of women of Africa and reinforcing their Economic Empowerment will play significant role in the achievement of MDGs, through 8 TOP Priorities set by the Organisation:
Personal Development (poverty mentality…)
Economic Empowerment (Inter-Trade, Job creation, Income generating activities…)
Communication and Technology
Women’s Health
Farming Technology
Environment
Women’s Education and Literacy
Africanism: Knowledge of the African Continent (geography, history, culture…)
Leading Women of Africa would like to invite UN and its partners, African Governments and other African and International Institutions to partner them. If all else failed; Women, united, will not!
Women Rebuilding Africa programme (WRAP)
I.PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Life Purpose: Everyone is born for a purpose (vision and passion)
Childhood vision: When you were a little girl (setting goals)
Building Self Esteem and Self worth
Unleashing your full potential (finding courage and inner strength to change)
Overcoming effects violence and abuse
Celebrating womanhood
Communicating effectively
Creating and nurturing relationships
Increasing productivity
Women in Leadership (different levels)
II. ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
Financial literacy
Basic Financial management
Banking literacy
Home finances
Budgeting
Saving
Investing
Taxes
Financing education
Business management
Creating and evaluating business ideas
How to choose partners
Transitioning into business as an entrepreneur
Writing your Business Plan
Financing your business
Marketing your Business
Managing your Business
Growing your Business
Networking to increase business
Business Opportunities
1. Conducting market research
2. Identifying and evaluating business opportunities
3. Merging these opportunities with your business
4. Using the Internet to maximize opportunities
5. Entrepreneurship
III. WOMEN AND TECHNOLOGY
Introduction to computer and Internet
Joining the global network (Internet skills +)
Internet marketing your products (website, e-mail, picture…)
New life with technology
IV. WOMEN IN FARMING - Education on Farming Technology
1. Improving working conditions
2. Growing better produce for sell, export
3. Using other methods: Organic, natural
4. Assessing your market and return on investment (Time, effort and money)
V. WOMEN AND ENVIRONMENT
1. Preserving the environment
2. Using “green” products and methods
VI. WOMEN AND HEALTH
1. Knowing your own body
2. How to have safe pregnancy and birth
3. Using family planning
4. Preventing and living with HIV
5. Hygiene and related matters
6. Living healthier with good nutrition
VII. AFRICANISM – Learning about
1. African culture
2. African history
3. African geography
Conclusion: Achieving the Millennium Goals through empowerment of women
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