Forbes, the global media company that focuses on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle, has recently announced its list of the 100 most influential women in the world for 2023. Among them, there are 10 African women who have made remarkable achievements in various fields such as politics, business, education, health, media, and social activism. These women are:
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization and former finance minister of Nigeria.
- Tsitsi Dangarembga, the Zimbabwean novelist, filmmaker, and activist who was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2020.
- Amina J. Mohammed, the deputy secretary-general of the United Nations and former environment minister of Nigeria.
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the Nigerian writer and feminist icon whose books have been translated into over 30 languages.
- Fatou Bensouda, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and former justice minister of The Gambia.
- Sahle-Work Zewde, the president of Ethiopia and the only female head of state in Africa.
- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the executive director of UN Women and former deputy president of South Africa.
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone and a champion of urban resilience and sustainability.
- Oby Ezekwesili, the co-founder of Bring Back Our Girls and former education minister of Nigeria.
These women represent the diversity, strength, and potential of African women who are shaping the continent and the world with their vision, leadership, and courage. They are role models for millions of young girls and women who aspire to follow their footsteps and make a difference in their communities and beyond.
The Forbes most influential award is not only a recognition of their individual achievements but also a celebration of their collective impact. It is a testament to the fact that African women are no longer invisible or marginalized in the global arena. They are at the forefront of tackling some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity such as poverty, inequality, climate change, conflict, and human rights. They are also contributing to the economic growth, social development, and cultural diversity of their countries and regions.
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The Forbes most influential award is also a reminder of the challenges and barriers that African women still face in their daily lives. Despite their remarkable accomplishments, they often have to overcome discrimination, violence, harassment, and stereotypes that limit their opportunities and choices. They also have to balance multiple roles and responsibilities as mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, workers, leaders, and citizens. They have to deal with the lack of resources, infrastructure, education, health care, and security that affect their well-being and potential.
The Forbes most influential award is therefore a call for action to support and empower African women in all spheres of life. It is a call for governments, businesses, civil society, media, and individuals to recognize their rights, respect their dignity, value their contributions, and invest in their futures. It is a call for African women themselves to continue to pursue their dreams, passions, and goals with confidence and determination. It is a call for all of us to join forces and work together for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.