This event will provide an opportunity for members of the African diaspora to reflect on the challenges and progress on human rights and development for African women and girls. The day will also explore the contribution of women in the African Diaspora on issues relating to gender and human rights in the Diaspora and on the African continent.

All attendees are also invited to stay for live music, drinks and networking at the end of the day up to 8pm.

The Role of the Diaspora

The ‘here and there’ position of diaspora organisations and individuals, and diaspora energies and commitment gives the African Diaspora a unique position to help realise the goals of the African Women’s Decade.

Diaspora organisations and individuals have been key players in advocating for human rights and sustainable development in their countries of origin, and according to the World Bank, diaspora remittances to sub-Saharan Africa totalled nearly $33 billion in 2014. This event seeks to highlight the contribution of African women to the development of the continent regardless of their location.

The event will include music, a key note speech from Ngone Diop of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and speakers from FORWARD, Ekanem Robertson of BEN TV, Faith Mwangi-Powell of The Girl Generation and Leyla Hussein as well as representatives from the following organisations: Mifumi, African Foundation for Development (AFFORD), Haayat Women’s Trust and Gender Education and Enterprise Development for Africa (GEEDA).

We hope that this event will enable African women in the diaspora to share their experiences of international development work supporting social change in their countries of origin as well as being an opportunity to network and share lessons and experience.

Please RSVP to register your attendance at the event by email: forwardevents@forwarduk.org.uk