Agriculture Minister Lisa Jawahir is among 39 women from Africa and the Caribbean who have graduated from the inaugural African Academy for Women in Political Leadership.
Jawahir was one of only two Caribbean women selected for the programme, which concluded with a graduation ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda, on November 12.
The Academy was launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the African School of Governance, the African Union Commission and the African Women Leaders Network.
It brought together women serving as Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, mayors, governors and senators, as well as aspiring young leaders.
The programme focused on strengthening women’s political leadership skills, with training in governance, strategic communication, coalition-building, political financing, ethical leadership and institutional development.
Jawahir said the experience had deepened her appreciation of the shared history and struggles of African and Caribbean women.
“As a Caribbean woman of African descent serving in political leadership, this experience has deepened my appreciation for our shared history, our collective struggles and the extraordinary power of women to transform societies,” she said.
She described the opportunity to represent Saint Lucia as an honour, adding that the knowledge and connections gained should help create opportunities for other women and girls.
“I am deeply honoured to have represented Saint Lucia as one of only two Caribbean women participating in the inaugural African Academy for Women in Political Leadership,” she said.
“As I celebrate this milestone, I am reminded that this journey is bigger than me. It is about using the knowledge, connections and experience gained to open doors, create opportunities and make space for the women and young girls who will come after me.”
