The GREAT Inititiative - Gender Right & Equality Trust

The FAS African Gender Awards: To Date

The FAS African Gender Award, created by FAS in 2005, is one of the most inspiring instruments for women’s empowerment in Africa.

Recognising elite leadership

To date, it has been held every two years and recognises African leaders who have significantly improved the lives of women in their own country. Its aim is to make raising the status of women not only a priority but also a covetable goal.

President Wade of Senegal and President Mbeki of South Africa were jointly awarded the first ever Award in 2005; President Kagame of Rwanda received the 2007 Prize. In 2009, President Guebuza received the Award for his efforts in Mozambique, and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia has recently been presented with the 2011 Award. You can find out more about the previous ceremonies by visiting the Award’s own website here.

Recognising grassroots progress

With The GREAT Initiative’s support a broader and more prestigious annual awards project is planned, which will recognise effective initiatives addressing gender imbalance across all tiers of African society; whether that be in business, conflict resolution, via the specific efforts of NGOs or philanthropists, and even projects in local communities on the ground.

Indeed, GREAT believes that:

• There is too much negative focus on Africa and the Awards will allow an appropriate platform to celebrate Africa’s achievements on gender equality.
• Gender equality must be encouraged and those that excel within gender issues must be celebrated and given a platform so as to encourage others.
• Other sectors of achievement on gender issues should be celebrated - leaders from all walks of life, not just politics.
• The Awards are meant to acknowledge the very best examples of best practice but also to provide a beacon of inspiration for other NGOs and communities to do the same and earn the same recognition for their positive work.