As much as the African continent continues to uphold its male chauvinistic nature, some women have gone against the odds. Advocates championing for women’s rights to leadership roles are relentless about giving in, in fighting for a seat at the leadership table. These efforts have proven to be fruitful in that some female presidents have gained their country’s top position.
Let us learn about the iron African Women who went against all the odds to the top leadership positions. Some women have gone as far as acquiring the most prestigious positions, the presidential seat. The continent is slowly embracing women in leadership. Though the leaders at top positions are few and might not be desirable by the Gender Equality Advocates -it is a significant milestone for the African continent.
6 Female President who won Africa’s top seat
#1. Sylvie Kinigi- Burundi
Although her reign was short-livened, she was the one who set the pace for the female presidency in Africa. She initially served as a prime minister from Feb 10, 1993, to Oct 7, 1994. It was during this period that she was appointed as the acting President from Oct 27, 1993, to Feb 5, 1994, following the then President’s assassination.
#2. Ivy Matsepe- Casaburri- south Africa
A natural-born female leader who never disappointed the republic of South Africa with her confident leadership skills. She served as South Africa’s minister of communication for 10 solid years. That is from the year 1999 to 2009. In between, she was appointed as acting President twice. First was when president Thabo Mbeki and his vice president were out of the country for four days in September 2005, where she took charge. Secondly was in September 2008, where she was the acting interim during president Mbeki’s resignation.
#3. Sahle-work Zewede- Ethiopia
She is the first female elected President of Ethiopia and remains to be to date. She took office on Oct 25, 2018, following an election by the members of the country’s national parliamentary assembly. The countries structure is no different from that of Mauritius. The presidential position is more of a ceremonial position. The prime minister is a powerful position in the country.
#4. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf- Liberia
You ought to know that aside from her leadership skills, she is also a Nobel peace prize winner. She also becomes the first-ever elected female President in Africa to serve her country. She first campaigned for the seat in the year 1997, where she accepted defeat to Charles Taylor. However, she didn’t give up hope, and in January 2006, she won her presidential seat and consequently served for two terms until 2018.
#5. Monique Ohsan Bellepeau- Mauritius
This African country has embraced women’s leadership with open arms as there have been to women serving as presidents on the island. However, the seat doesn’t hold as much power as that of the prime minister. Monique, just like Ivy of South Africa, served as an interim twice. In the years 2012 and 2015, both in which the reigning presidents were resigning.
#6. Joyce Hilda Banda- Malawi
Joyce was the first female vice president of the Republic of Malawi before being a president. She was an educator and social activist who became the founder of the Peoples party in 2011. Following an untimely death of the then President, Bingu wa Mutharika, in his office, she became the successor as the constitution mandated.
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