Theo Sowa

"We all have power, different types of power. When we don’t acknowledge that power, it’s easier for others to step all over us"

"African women and African women’s organizations are doing incredible things"

"open your eyes and see our strengths"

"there is no successful African who has not benefited at some point from another African’s philanthropy"

"respect, hard work, courage, vision, professionalism, listening and learning, love and a little sprinkling of joy from and with our sisters… and pride in positive disruption!"

"When we box women into single story victim roles, we become part of systemic disempowerment. That means we join in the undermining of confidence, the withdrawal of choice, the ignoring of power and leadership… and that needs to stop."

"It is a matter of justice, of equal opportunity, of giving girls a real basis for choice in their lives. Investing in girls’ education is about healthy, happy girls and communities who can take their leadership roles in our societies"

"We are the backbones of our communities. We are strong. We are visionary. We have faith. Africa cannot survive without us"

"Walk the talk – Put women at the centre of our economic, political and social development"

"Stop talking about women’s rights when women are not at the heart of that discussion, of planning and of implementing"

"Invest in women and girls – our communities deserve the leadership that African women bring. This is not a matter of charity or benevolence – it is a matter of rights and of common sense"

"Stop patronizing women and girls – we have proved over and over again that investing in us brings huge benefits to our families and nations"