BPW AFRICA

The various affiliates of BPW in Africa interpret BPW initiatives differently to reflect the areas of priority needs of their diverse peoples. Emphasis has been on WEPs because of its particular relevance to the African experience. EPD has little relevance to Africa. CBW and Women Entrepreneurs and Trade is slow going because majority of women-owned businesses remain largely at the informal sector level.

We will examine some specific examples from the five subregions:

Burkina FasoBPW Ougadougou is working well on WEPs 3 with focus on treatment and rehabilitation of victims of vesico vaginal fistula (VVF ) . This debilitating medical condition is one of the worst examples of violence against women as it is one the consequences of forced early child marriage.

BeninThe 3 clubs in Benin are working with rural women and artisans; building their capacity with the ultimate aim of assisting them to move their businesses into the formal sector (related to WEPs 4 and 5). Presently, 90 percent if not more of African women run their businesses at the informal sector level.

NigeriaBPW Nigeria’s area of emphasis is WEPs 3, specifically breast and cervical cancer screening. Over 1000 women have been screened between February 2012 and now with problem cases referred for further investigation and these are being closely followed up. It is also doing well on WEPs 4 building the skills of the women farmers in a poor community close to Abuja, so that they might have alternate income generating activities during out of farming seasons.

SudanBPW Bahry focuses on WEPs 3 and 4 offfering vocational training to promote small and medium business ownership specially young university graduates and young BPW as well as health awareness campaigns in rural areas .

South Africa BPW Johannesburg, South Africa is leading in its response to WEPs initiative. 99 CEOs in South Africa have signed the Statement of Support for the WEPs to date!

REGIONAL CONGRESS Preparations are in top gear a successful hosting of the regional congress in

South Africa. The date of the Congress has been is July 18-20. The venue of the conference is Thaba Ya Batswana meaning “Mountain of the

Tswana People”. Surrounded by the Southern Johannesburg metropolis, this hotel captures the spirit of Africa. (See promotional video of the venue).