African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network

The African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network (AQWCLN) is a voluntary network of female cultural leaders across Africa that seeks to advocate for the advancement and improve the lives of women and girls across Africa.

History

The AQWCLN was formed in September 2013 when more than forty queens, queenmothers and other female cultural leaders from sixteen different African countries met in Kampala, Uganda supported by UN Women and the African Union.[1][2] The Network was established in response to the 2012 "Harare Call to Action" at a meeting hosted by the GlobalPower Women Network Africa, which sought to establish meaningful networks with religious, traditional and cultural leaders in the implementation of programs to protect and promote the rights of women and girls in the African Union.[2][3] The launch was hosted by Queen Sylvia Nagindda of Buganda Kingdom and Queen Best Kemigisa Queenmother of Tooro Kingdom.[2][4]

The network has chapters in various African countries including Ghana, Uganda,[5] and Malawi.[6]

Commitments

The AQWCLN has resolved to eradicate negative cultural practices, especially female genital mutilation and early marriages.[7] They have issued calls for the release of the victims of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping as well as other girls kidnapped by Boko Haram.[8][9]

Notable members

References

  1. ↑ UNESCO (11 May 2015). Agree to Differ. UNESCO publishing. p. 159.
  2. 1 2 3 "UGANDA: United Nations to Launch the African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network". Make Every Woman Count. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  3. ↑ Nakaweesi, Dorothy (27 August 2013). "Uganda to host African queens". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  4. ↑ Mayanja Nkangi, Jehoash (3 September 2013). "Buganda’s Nnaabagereka is Africa’s gift". Saturday Vision. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  5. ↑ "President Museveni urges women cultural leaders on poverty fight, and land fragmentation". State House of Uganda. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  6. ↑ "UN Women Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Newsletter" (PDF). UN Women. June 2015.
  7. ↑ "African Queens declare war on HIV, FGM, early marriages". Saturday Vision. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "The African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network call for the immediate release of the Nigerian students". Pathways to go.
  9. ↑ Adjoa Awindor, Nanahemaa (9 May 2014). "African Queens and Women Cultural Leaders Network Call For The Release Of The Over 260 Abducted Nigerian School Girls". Peace FM online. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
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