Zimbabwe Vice-President Wins Prestigious African Award

Republic of Zimbabwe Vice-President Joice Mujuru visited the South American nation of Brazil for the inauguration of the first woman President Dilma Rousseff. Rousseff and Mujuru are former revolutionary guerrilla fighters., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

VP Mujuru wins prestigious continental award

Sunday, 26 February 2012 00:00
Sunday Mail Reporter

Vice-President Mujuru has won the prestigious Distinguished African Amazon Award (2012) after she was selected by the organisers in recognition of her role in continental leadership and protecting vulnerable women and children.

She will receive the accolade at the International Conference on African Women Development (ICAWD) scheduled for the United Arab Emirates next month.

In a letter to the Vice-President, the Centre for Economic and Leadership Development (CELD), the event and award organisers, said Cde Mujuru’s leadership inspired many girls and women worldwide.

The letter was co-signed by CELD executive director Mrs Furo Giami and programmes manager Mrs Sheba Nyam Alhamdu.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Gambian Vice-President Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy scooped the same award in 2010 and last year respectively.

“The organisers considered your dynamic role in the leadership of Zimbabwe and the African region as a whole which has served as an inspiration to girls and women all over Africa and the rest of the world, as well as your contribution in protecting vulnerable women, and have selected you as the recipient of the prestigious Distinguished African Amazon Award 2012,” reads part of the letter.

“To this end, you shall be conferred with the Award on Friday, March 30, 2012 during the awards gala night of the ICAWD at the prestigious seven-star Burj Al-Arab Hotel, Dubai, UAE.”

The Vice-President continues to play a leading role in championing the rights and empowerment of women and girls.

In 2010, she was also honoured with the esteemed Pride of African Women Award, initiated by the Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment in Africa organisation.

She is expected to deliver a keynote address at next month’s awards ceremony which will coincide with the five-day ICAWD.

Running under the theme, “Women as Catalysts for Africa’s Economic Development in the Emerging Decade, the conference will focus on the development of African women.

It will, among other objectives, provide a platform for female African leaders to have a comprehensive review of successes, best practices, lessons, challenges and opportunities that exist for women in diverse fields.

The CELD is a non-governmental organisation committed to addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable women and children and alleviating extreme poverty among the less-privileged.

It organised the conference in collaboration with ECOWAS (the Economic Community of West African States) Female Parliamentarians and the African Leadership Magazine.