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PARTICIPANT BIOGRAPHIES AND WEBSITES:
MAY
2001
A School Teacher and Head teacher by profession, Assembly Woman Ba Sangare is member of several Women's Associations and NGOs working for the defence of Women's and children's rights, with the implementation of the two UN Conventions on Women and Children. In Parliament she is a member of the Commission in charge of Employment, Labor, Women and Youth Promotion.
She
is currently a PH.D Student working on implementing a gender-focused
environmental policy for sustainable development in Ghana at the
University of Ghana. Other research interests and areas of publication
include NGOs, democracy, women's advocay and development issues.
A women's
rights activist with a keen interest in using law as a tool for
women's empowerment, Dorcas Coker Appiah, together with two other
collagues has simplified laws on succession, marriage and maintenance
of children and had them translated into four Ghanaian languages
and also with one other colleague developed a training module for
training selected persons referred to as legal Literacy volunteers,
to carry out legal education in their communities. She has also
co-authored two legal pamphlets, "Landlord and Tenant' and
"The Right to a Fair Trial", both publications aimed at
the non legal public.
Aminata Diaw is General secretary of COSEF, Conseil des Femmes Senegalaise (Council for the Promotion of Senegalese Women) and professor of Political Philosophy at the University Cheikh Anta Diop (Dakar-Senegal). Diaw often works with CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa) and is a member of scientific commitee of the international symposium on Gender which will be held in November in Marrarech (Morocco). Publications include "Democratisation and the Logics of Identity : the Invention of Politics in Africa"(CODESRIA); "Senegal Statecrafts" (CODESRIA). A member
of many organisations in Senegal, Daiw participates in many academic
conferences and symposiums in country and at the international level.
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Uchenna
Udeani is a Senior Lecturer in Science Education at the
University of Lagos, Nigeria. Working together with other female
colleagues in science education, she organizes programs aimed at
improving the achievement of girls in Mathematics and Science subjects
and increasing the number of girls interested in science and technology
careers. She is involved with the Girls and Science Outfit, a non-governmental
and non-profit organization committed to improving female underachievement
in Mathematics and Science and increasing the number of females
in these careers. She earned a Ph.D. in Science Education/Gender
Studies from the University of Negeria, Nsukka. 
Elsie
Nwanwuri Thompson
is the Deputy Country Vice President for the International Federation
of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The Goal of FIDA Nigeria is to improve
the welfare of women and children. As the current Deputy Country
Vice President, she also acts as the coordinator of all FIDA projects
in Nigeria. In this capacity, she ensures that all projects fulfill
the objective of creating a better society for women and children.
She is also the Project Leader for the CEDPA project "Engendering
Legislative Issues" in Rivers State. Elsie is also the Executive
Secretary of The Adolescent Project (TAP) Nigeria and is engaged
in private Legal practice in Nigeria. She earned a L.L.B. HONS (Bachelor
of Law) from Queen Mary College, University of London, England and
is a member of the honourable society of Gray's Inn England.
Hauwa
Evelyn Shekarau works for FIDA Nigeria (Abuja branch)
and is also a PIC member. The goals of FIDA Nigeria are to enhance
and promote the welfare of women and children, having realized that
on their well-being depends the happiness of the home and the strength
of society. The organization also seeks to promote the principles
and aims of the United Nations, especially the legal and social
aspects, and to establish friendly international relations on the
basis of equality and mutual respect of all people. Currently she
is working on a project sponsored by CEDPA, which seeks to address
injustice done to women by incorporating women's issues into the
agenda of both the State and National Assemblies. She is also a
member of the Implementation Committee for these projects. She earned
a LL.B (Hons), B.L. degree in Civil Law from Ahmadu Bellow University,
Zaria, Nigeria. 
Rokia
Ba Toure began a 3-year
term as President of COFEM (Collectif des Femmes Du Mali) in April
2001. The main goal of COFEM is the promotion of women through training
and the distribution of information. In addition, she has been an
active member of Bamako Yeelen Lions Club for ten years where she
assists programs for women's psychiatric services and blind student
services. She received the Diplome du Cycle Superieur des Sciences
et Techniques de la Documentation from the Institut National des
Techniques de L'Information et de la Documentation (INTD) du Conservatoire
National des Arts et Metiers (CNAM) de Paris. 
Rita
Korotomi Nader is responsible for organizing the Internet
Communications of APLEF, whose goal is to train women leaders. She
is responsible for maintaining online communication among APLEF's
members and for distributing information about the organization
and related events. She received a Diplome Universitaire de Technologie
(D.U.T.) in computers from the Institute Universitaire de Gertion
(I.U.G.).
Djingarey
Ibrahim Maiga works for the Institute for Popular Education
as the Human Rights and Gender Analysis Trainer and Women's Education
Coordinator. Her organization seeks to develop and deliver alternative
education practices at the grassroot level while working to build
a movement of community action for educational change in Mali. She
is responsible for strengthening the organizational capacity to
respond to women's educational needs and to promote human rights
education as a context for social change work that will transform
gender inequities. She is also involved with community radio and
journalism, reproduction health education, the eradication of violence
against women (including the struggle against FGM), gender analysis,
and facilitating women's leadership and public participation. She
received a Technical University diploma in Applied Language. 
Marian
Atta-Boahene is the Program Manager for the Ark Foundation,
Ghana. She is also the Editor of "Sister Watch", the newsletter
of The Ark. The Ark's programs and activities are based on a philosophy
of both prevention and cure. Thus, it seeks to rid society of attitudes,
belief systems and practices, which nurture and tolerate discrimination,
abuse and violence against women and children; and it works to ensure
the protection and promotion of the Human Rights and development
needs of women, children, and other disadvantaged groups. This is
achieved through two programs: 1.Capacity Building and 2.Provision
of integrated services and support to survivors of such violence.
Miss Atta - Boahene, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English
and Linguistics from the University of Ghana, Legon, where she was
Vice Chairperson of "The Women's Commission" of the Students
Representative Council and also Presenter/Producer for 2 years of
"Yaa Asantewaa", a radio talk show that deals with women
and children related issues. As the Research and Documentation Officer
for the Ark Foundation, she compiled and edited a Reader and a Manual
for women's leadership and human rights training workshops. She
hopes to contribute to the advancement of the status of women and
children in her country by advocating for policy and legislative
change.
Hamida
Harrison is the Acting Program Manager for ABANTU for
Development in the West African Region. Her Organization, which
has offices in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and
Kenya, seeks to eradicate cultural, legal and political obstacles
that prevent women from attaining economic independence and equality
before the law; to work towards a world in which people are free
from injustice, discrimination based on gender and race, and are
free from armed conflict; to see that women and men have equal access
to resources and are taken as equal development partners at all
levels of decision making; and to ensure that the advancement of
women's interests benefit the entire community. She facilitates
these goals by developing training programs, organizing workshops
and seminars, and conducting research, lobbying, and advocacy work.
She received an MA and MPA in Administration and Communication Development
from State University of New York and the University of Ghana, Legon.
Sadia
Chinery-Hesse
is the Publicity Coordinator for the African Women Lawyers Association
(AWLA) and Executive Member of the International Federation of Women
Lawyers (FIDA) - Ghana Branch. The AWLA and FIDA-Ghana have similar
broad goals, namely to advance the rights of women in as many areas
as possible, and they have many of the same members who often work
in collaboration. However, FIDA is an international organization
with a wider agenda, and AWLA is an African based association than
has a more focused agenda dealing with issues that affect African
women specifically. As AWLA's Publicity Coordinator she is charged
with all aspects of its public relations, and as Executive Member
of FIDA-Ghana she is part of the team that formulates and implements
its policies. She earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours from
the University of London, UK. 
Safietou
Diop is the Chairperson of COFDEF (Collectif des Femmes
pour la Defense de la Famille/Women for the Defense of the Family)
and the Chairperson of RSJ (Reseau Siggil Jigeen/Network for the
Promotion of Women in Decision-Making Positions). In these capacities,
she promotes equal opportunity between genders for sustainable community
development and works toward women's political leadership and democratic
organizing. She received a Diploma of Youth and Sports Inspctor
from the Institute of Higher Studies in Sports and Popular Education,
Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar.
Awa
Wade works for the African Network for the Promotion
of Women Workers. As Executive Secretary and Vice-President, she
represents the network within and outside Senegal and conducts advocacy
and promotion campaigns for women's rights and the improvement of
women's working conditions. Working with women workers in formal
and informal sectors in urban and rural areas, she seeks to promote
them to the top of their unions. She earned an Elementary School
Teacher Training Diploma from the Teacher Training School for Young
Women. 
Marietou
Dia was formerly the Programs and Training Coordinator
for CRESP (Resource Center for the Emergence of Social Participation)
in Senegal. She currently works as a consultant in a Senegalese
project titled Promotion and Reinforcement of Women's Rights in
Senegal. The project is located at the Canadian Research and International
Cooperation Center. She participates in monitoring the association's
projects. She also coordinates the Information and Communication
Technologies training sessions for her organization. One of her
goals as Programs and Training Coordinator is to democratize access
to computers for the community in general and for the young unemployed
persons in Senegal in particular. She received a Master of Arts
(Languages) in English Civilization and Literature from the University
of the Humanities, Strasbourg, France.
Josephine
Anenih
is National Woman Leader with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
whose goal is to provide good governance and leadership to the people
of Nigeria. As the National Woman Leader, she is involved with the
formulation and implementation of policies aimed at achieving their
set goals. She received a B.Ed, LLB, and B.L. from the University
of Ife and University of Benin. 
Stella
O. Dorgu works for the Alliance for Democracy (AD). As
the National Treasurer of the AD and the Head of the Commission
on Integrated Gender Empowerment, it is her responsibility to ensure
that women are empowered to seek political office and ensure change
in the political process. She received a Ph.D from Syracuse University,
New York, in Mass Communications.
Biodun
Christine Olujimi is the National Publicity Secretary
for the All People's Party (APP). In this position within the second
largest party in Nigeria, she is expected to be the point of dissemination
of information to party members, potential voters, and mostly women,
who make up the largest number of voters in the country. Her role
is to develop messages to convince them of the viability of democracy
and the party, and to focus them on issues that can help them attain
political prominence and power. She received a post graduate diploma
from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
Kadidia
Dienta is Activity Manager for the Democratic Governance
team at USAID-Mali. She received a Graduate Certificate in International
Development from Rutgers, with a major field in International Development
with a focus on Women's Studies. The main goal of USAID- Mali is
to assist the government of the Republic of Mali to reach a level
of social, economic, and political development that will eliminate
the need for foreign aid. As a Results Package Manager for the democratic
governance strategic objective (DGSO), she is responsible for strengthening
the institutional capacity of the local level civil society. One
of her responsibilities is to enhance women's participation in decision-making
in the process of partnership between the civil society and the
local government. 
Assa
Diallo
is a journalist for Radio KLEDU, a private radio station in Bamako
that deals with community issues such as health, education, and
politics. As a journalist, she presents different programs concerning
women's and young people's problems. She received a high degree
in Communications at the Institut Superieur de Communication, Presse
et Audiovisuel (ISCPA-Paris). 
Sheila
Y. N. Gyimah is the Director of LAWA-Ghana (Leadership
and Advocacy for Women in Africa). The goal of LAWA is to use law
to promote the human rights of women in Ghana in particular and
in Africa as a whole. As director of her organization, she initiates
projects and networks with sister organizations in Uganda and Tanzania.
She received an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center in Human
Rights Law, Washington D.C. 
Sena
Dei-Tutu is a member of the Federation of Women Lawyers
(FIDA) Ghana, which has one ultimate goal: the empowerment of the
Ghanaian women in all aspects of their lives, with special emphasis
on legal rights and obligations. To help realize this goal, the
organization seeks to reach out to Ghanaian women through the provision
of legal services to indigent women and children, entirely free
of charge, and through the education of Ghanaian society in general
and women in particular about their rights and obligations. She
received a LLB from the University of Ghana, Legon. 
Aminata
Dieye is a program director at RADDHO (La Rencontre Africaine
pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme), an organization that
monitors human rights. The goals of this institution are to promote,
protect, and defend human rights. RADDHO contributed to the new
legislation in Senegal outlawing female circumcision and has worked
to promote a culture of democracy and peace in Senegal. RADDHO assists
victims of violations of human rights, does fact findings, and documents
violations of human rights. She received a Master in Human Sciences
and Master in Educational Sciences at the University Cheikh Anta
Diop & Chaire UNESCO de Dakar. 
Fatou
Ba Diop is a member of COSEF, the Conseil des Femmes
Senegalaise (Council for the Promotion of Senegalese Women) and
a member of the Association of Women Lawyers in Senegal. She received
a diploma in advanced studies of International Law from the University
of Paris X. COSEF is a bi-partisan group of women from different
political parties, union leaders, and educators. COSEF's objectives
include promoting women's rights and reinforcing democracy in Senegal.
Florence Iheme is the Manager of Training and Development Department,
National Center for Women’s Development, Abuja, Nigeria: "Since
gender and development is an interdisciplinary, inter-sectoral sector,I
am interested in most areas of development with emphasis on micro-credit,
women's political representation and AIDS campaign.I am currently
seeking a grant to do a field research on my MA dissertation on
women's political participation in Uganda and on an AIDS project
in Nigeria. I have participated in many media discussion programmes
and written widely on gender and development issues. My concern
for mainstreaming women's issues in national development is high
on my future agenda to enter participatory politics."
Dr
Mary Ebun Modupe Kolawole, of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife,
Nigeria, is Fellow of the Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and Fellow of Network
for Setting an Agenda for Women's Studies in Nigeria, Director,
African Research in Progress. National Coordinator for Nigeria,
Women Writing Africa, a project of the Feminist Press, New York.
Her publications include: Womanism and African Consciousness:
Trenton, NJ, Africa World Press. 1997; Gender Perceptions and
Development in Africa: Lagos: Arrabon Academic Publishers, 1998;
Zulu Sofola: Her Life and Her Works, Ibadan: Caltop Publishers,
1999. She is also Editor in Chief for the Journal of Gender and
Development in Africa, Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Rebecca
Zatan Sako is Executive Director, League of Democratic Women (LEADS
NIGERIA); Vice chairperson, Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) Kaduna
State branch; Asistant Secretary, International Federation of Women
Lawyers (FIDA) Kaduna State branch, Secretary, Women in Nigeria
(WIN), Kaduna State branch; Financial Secretary, WIN Kaduna chapter,
former Treasurer and financial secretary Nigerian Bar Association,
Kaduna Branch, Director, Women and Children's Rights project, Human
Rights Monitor. Interested in educating and empowering Northern
Nigerian women, Zatan Sako is lobbying for legislation that enhances
the status of women and girl child education, law practice and humanitarian
law and practice.
Assembly
woman, Oumou Ba Sangare is with the Malian National Assembly. She
is currently working on a USAID-funded project to connect all Malian
women, "Assembly members to the Internet." 
Nene
Traore Diop is Program Director, WILDAF-Bamako, Women in Law and
Development in Africa (WILDAF) is a pan African women's rights network
dedicated to promoting and strengthening strategies which link law
and development to increase women's participation and influence
at the community, national and international levels. Also, Deputy
Director CEFIB, a training center on computer sciences, Traore Diop
is administrator at ACFOR, a training center for entrepreneurs,
in charge of program for WILDAF, Mali. She is interested in women's
issues specifically related to economic empowerment, and better
representation of women in public life, entrepreneurship and community
development.
Beatrix
Allah-Mensah is Professor of Political Science at the University
of Ghana, Legon, Accra
Dorcas
Coker Appiah is Executive Director of Gender Studies and Human Rights
Documentation Center, Ghana., and also an active member WILDAF,
Women in Law and Development in Africa. WILDAF is a pan- African
women's rights network dedicated to promoting and strengthening
strategies which link law and development to increase women's participation
and influence at the community, national and international levels
Fatou
Aminata Lo is Secretary of Communication, Students Association for
Human Rights and Peace Institute, University of Dakar . This Student
Association was created in 1996 to promote and mainstream Human
Rights in Senegal. Strategies include academic conferences, workshops,
seminars, caucus work and grassroots sensitization. The association
specifically addresses students of all levels, and women's groups
and grassroots organizations. Lo also works with the Social Center
of Medina,
a government-backed center used to manage poverty by providing food
and lodging for the povert-stricken in the district of Medina. The
center is now implementing five programs to empower women, combat
youth unemployment, promote economical activities for handicapped
persons, and give a formal education to boys and girls between age
3 to 6 years. Finally, Fatou Lo was also a youth spokesperson at
the Beijing Conference on Women in 1995. 
Katy
Cisse Wone is with PNLS (Programme National de Lutte contre le SIDA)
National Program to Combat AIDS and Deputy for the Senegalese National
Aids Program. A Ph.D Candiate in Political science researching "women
and political power in the socialist party," other research
interests include the political trajectory of senegalese women;
women and aids in senegal; senegalese women in the electoral process:
positions
even if it seems that they have areas of power."
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