Network Urges Women to Provide Transformative Leadership
By Mekonnen Teshome

May 17, 2006 -(The Ethiopian Herald) A Regional Network of Women for Greater East Africa, Women Direct, has urged women to actively involve in providing transformative leadership.

Speaking at a workshop organized by Progynist under the theme "Beyond Numbers: Towards Transformative Leadership" Network Executive Director Dr. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson said that women should participate in providing trasformative leadership at home, in farming and other workplaces so as to address the pressing challenges facing women.

She also said the leadership space in Africa is largely dominated by men and women are in most cases absent, adding that if they come to leadership they would create more accountable institutions of government, ensure more equitable resource allocation, combat HIV/AIDS and ensure peace and security.

Progynist Executive Director Netsanet Mengistu on her part said that the regional network which includes Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ruwanda and Uganda is striving to create linkage amongst the various women associations and civil societies in these countries to help them exchange experiences and best practices.

She also indicated that various civil society groups and women associations are now exerting maximum efforts to integrate their activities in East Africa to improve the lives of poor women.

Solome Tadesse, a private consultant in gender issues, also said that the contribution of women leaders in different spheres has brought about legal, political and policy reforms that has greatly advanced women's cause in terms of advancing gender equality.

She added that forging greater cooperation among women in all sectors to advance women's cause is useful.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200605170774.html