Fatou Aminata Lo is Secretary of Communication, Students Association for Human Rights and Peace Institute, University of Dakar . This Student Association was created in 1996 to promote and mainstream Human Rights in Senegal. Strategies include academic conferences, workshops, seminars, caucus work and grassroots sensitization. The association specifically addresses students of all levels, and women's groups and grassroots organizations. Lo also works with the Social Center of Medina, a government-backed center used to manage poverty by providing food and lodging for the povert-stricken in the district of Medina. The center is now implementing five programs to empower women, combat youth unemployment, promote economical activities for handicapped persons, and give a formal education to boys and girls between age 3 to 6 years. Finally, Fatou Lo was also a youth spokesperson at the Beijing Conference on Women in 1995.

Josephine Anenih is National Woman Leader with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose goal is to provide good governance and leadership to the people of Nigeria. As the National Woman Leader, she is involved with the formulation and implementation of policies aimed at achieving their set goals. She received a B.Ed, LLB, and B.L. from the University of Ife and University of Benin.

Co-creator of Women Foundation Nigeria Site: http://www.wfnigeria.org

Marian Atta-Boahene is the Program Manager for the Ark Foundation, Ghana. She is also the Editor of "Sister Watch", the newsletter of The Ark. The Ark's programs and activities are based on a philosophy of both prevention and cure. Thus, it seeks to rid society of attitudes, belief systems and practices, which nurture and tolerate discrimination, abuse and violence against women and children; and it works to ensure the protection and promotion of the Human Rights and development needs of women, children, and other disadvantaged groups. This is achieved through two programs: 1.Capacity Building and 2.Provision of integrated services and support to survivors of such violence. Miss Atta - Boahene, holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Linguistics from the University of Ghana, Legon, where she was Vice Chairperson of "The Women's Commission" of the Students Representative Council and also Presenter/Producer for 2 years of "Yaa Asantewaa", a radio talk show that deals with women and children related issues. As the Research and Documentation Officer for the Ark Foundation, she compiled and edited a Reader and a Manual for women's leadership and human rights training workshops. She hopes to contribute to the advancement of the status of women and children in her country by advocating for policy and legislative change.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~attaboah/ark/

Fatou Ba Diop is a member of COSEF, the Conseil des Femmes Senegalaise (Council for the Promotion of Senegalese Women) and a member of the Association of Women Lawyers in Senegal. She received a diploma in advanced studies of International Law from the University of Paris X. COSEF is a bi-partisan group of women from different political parties, union leaders, and educators. COSEF's objectives include promoting women's rights and reinforcing democracy in Senegal.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~diop/cosefsite/

Assembly woman, Oumou Ba Sangare is with the Malian National Assembly. She is currently working on a USAID-funded project to connect all Malian women, "Assembly members to the Internet."
A School Teacher and Head teacher by profession, Assembly Woman Ba Sangare is member of several Women's Associations and NGOs working for the defence of Women's and children's rights, with the implementation of the two UN Conventions on Women and Children. In Parliament she is a member of the Commission in charge of Employment, Labor, Women and Youth Promotion.

Rokia Ba Toure began a 3-year term as President of COFEM (Collectif des Femmes Du Mali) in April 2001. The main goal of COFEM is the promotion of women through training and the distribution of information. In addition, she has been an active member of Bamako Yeelen Lions Club for ten years where she assists programs for women's psychiatric services and blind student services. She received the Diplome du Cycle Superieur des Sciences et Techniques de la Documentation from the Institut National des Techniques de L'Information et de la Documentation (INTD) du Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers (CNAM) de Paris.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~batourer/cofem/

Senegal

Katy Cisse Wone is with PNLS (Programme National de Lutte contre le SIDA) National Program to Combat AIDS and Deputy for the Senegalese National Aids Program. A Ph.D Candiate in Political science researching "women and political power in the socialist party," other research interests include the political trajectory of senegalese women; women and aids in senegal; senegalese women in the electoral process:
"My main academic concern is about strategies that political women develop in the socialist party that dominated for forty years before the elections of february. There are more women in this party than any other, and political analysts used to say it`s a women`s party. But women are not in strategic positions even if it seems that they have areas of power."

Sadia Chinery-Hesse is the Publicity Coordinator for the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) and Executive Member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) - Ghana Branch. The AWLA and FIDA-Ghana have similar broad goals, namely to advance the rights of women in as many areas as possible, and they have many of the same members who often work in collaboration. However, FIDA is an international organization with a wider agenda, and AWLA is an African based association than has a more focused agenda dealing with issues that affect African women specifically. As AWLA's Publicity Coordinator she is charged with all aspects of its public relations, and as Executive Member of FIDA-Ghana she is part of the team that formulates and implements its policies. She earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours from the University of London, UK.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~chineryh/awla/

Dorcas Coker Appiah is Executive Director of Gender Studies and Human Rights Documentation Center, Ghana., and also an active member WILDAF, Women in Law and Development in Africa. WILDAF is a pan- African women's rights network dedicated to promoting and strengthening strategies which link law and development to increase women's participation and influence at the community, national and international levels. A women's rights activist with a keen interest in using law as a tool for women's empowerment, Dorcas Coker Appiah, together with two other collagues has simplified laws on succession, marriage and maintenance of children and had them translated into four Ghanaian languages and also with one other colleague developed a training module for training selected persons referred to as legal Literacy volunteers, to carry out legal education in their communities. She has also co-authored two legal pamphlets, "Landlord and Tenant' and "The Right to a Fair Trial", both publications aimed at the non legal public.

Sena Dei-Tutu is a member of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Ghana, which has one ultimate goal: the empowerment of the Ghanaian women in all aspects of their lives, with special emphasis on legal rights and obligations. To help realize this goal, the organization seeks to reach out to Ghanaian women through the provision of legal services to indigent women and children, entirely free of charge, and through the education of Ghanaian society in general and women in particular about their rights and obligations. She received a LLB from the University of Ghana, Legon.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~deitutu/fida/

Assa Diallo is a journalist for Radio KLEDU, a private radio station in Bamako that deals with community issues such as health, education, and politics. As a journalist, she presents different programs concerning women's and young people's problems. She received a high degree in Communications at the Institut Superieur de Communication, Presse et Audiovisuel (ISCPA-Paris).
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~diallo/edf/

Kadidia Dienta is Activity Manager for the Democratic Governance team at USAID-Mali. She received a Graduate Certificate in International Development from Rutgers, with a major field in International Development with a focus on Women's Studies. The main goal of USAID- Mali is to assist the government of the Republic of Mali to reach a level of social, economic, and political development that will eliminate the need for foreign aid. As a Results Package Manager for the democratic governance strategic objective (DGSO), she is responsible for strengthening the institutional capacity of the local level civil society. One of her responsibilities is to enhance women's participation in decision-making in the process of partnership between the civil society and the local government.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~dientais/project/

Aminata Dieye is a program director at RADDHO (La Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme), an organization that monitors human rights. The goals of this institution are to promote, protect, and defend human rights. RADDHO contributed to the new legislation in Senegal outlawing female circumcision and has worked to promote a culture of democracy and peace in Senegal. RADDHO assists victims of violations of human rights, does fact findings, and documents violations of human rights. She received a Master in Human Sciences and Master in Educational Sciences at the University Cheikh Anta Diop & Chaire UNESCO de Dakar.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~dieye/RADD

Safietou Diop is the Chairperson of COFDEF (Collectif des Femmes pour la Defense de la Famille/Women for the Defense of the Family) and the Chairperson of RSJ (Reseau Siggil Jigeen/Network for the Promotion of Women in Decision-Making Positions). In these capacities, she promotes equal opportunity between genders for sustainable community development and works toward women's political leadership and democratic organizing. She received a Diploma of Youth and Sports Inspctor from the Institute of Higher Studies in Sports and Popular Education, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~diopsafi/cofdef/

Stella O. Dorgu works for the Alliance for Democracy (AD). As the National Treasurer of the AD and the Head of the Commission on Integrated Gender Empowerment, it is her responsibility to ensure that women are empowered to seek political office and ensure change in the political process. She received a Ph.D from Syracuse University, New York, in Mass Communications.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~christin

Dr Mary Ebun Modupe Kolawole, of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, is Fellow of the Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and Fellow of Network for Setting an Agenda for Women's Studies in Nigeria, Director, African Research in Progress. National Coordinator for Nigeria, Women Writing Africa, a project of the Feminist Press, New York. Her publications include: Womanism and African Consciousness: Trenton, NJ, Africa World Press. 1997; Gender Perceptions and Development in Africa: Lagos: Arrabon Academic Publishers, 1998; Zulu Sofola: Her Life and Her Works, Ibadan: Caltop Publishers, 1999. She is also Editor in Chief for the Journal of Gender and Development in Africa, Center for Gender and Social Policy Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Sheila Y. N. Gyimah is the Director of LAWA-Ghana (Leadership and Advocacy for Women in Africa). The goal of LAWA is to use law to promote the human rights of women in Ghana in particular and in Africa as a whole. As director of her organization, she initiates projects and networks with sister organizations in Uganda and Tanzania. She received an LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center in Human Rights Law, Washington D.C.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~gyimah/

Hamida Harrison is the Acting Program Manager for ABANTU for Development in the West African Region. Her Organization, which has offices in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Kenya, seeks to eradicate cultural, legal and political obstacles that prevent women from attaining economic independence and equality before the law; to work towards a world in which people are free from injustice, discrimination based on gender and race, and are free from armed conflict; to see that women and men have equal access to resources and are taken as equal development partners at all levels of decision making; and to ensure that the advancement of women's interests benefit the entire community. She facilitates these goals by developing training programs, organizing workshops and seminars, and conducting research, lobbying, and advocacy work. She received an MA and MPA in Administration and Communication Development from State University of New York and the University of Ghana, Legon.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~harrison/ABANTU/index.html

Florence Iheme is the Manager of Training and Development Department, National Center for Women’s Development, Abuja, Nigeria: "Since gender and development is an interdisciplinary, inter-sectoral sector,I am interested in most areas of development with emphasis on micro-credit, women's political representation and AIDS campaign.I am currently seeking a grant to do a field research on my MA dissertation on women's political participation in Uganda and on an AIDS project in Nigeria. I have participated in many media discussion programmes and written widely on gender and development issues. My concern for mainstreaming women's issues in national development is high on my future agenda to enter participatory politics."

Djingarey Ibrahim Maiga works for the Institute for Popular Education as the Human Rights and Gender Analysis Trainer and Women's Education Coordinator. Her organization seeks to develop and deliver alternative education practices at the grassroot level while working to build a movement of community action for educational change in Mali. She is responsible for strengthening the organizational capacity to respond to women's educational needs and to promote human rights education as a context for social change work that will transform gender inequities. She is also involved with community radio and journalism, reproduction health education, the eradication of violence against women (including the struggle against FGM), gender analysis, and facilitating women's leadership and public participation. She received a Technical University diploma in Applied Language.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~ibrahimd/iep/index.html

Rita Korotomi Nader is responsible for organizing the Internet Communications of APLEF, whose goal is to train women leaders. She is responsible for maintaining online communication among APLEF's members and for distributing information about the organization and related events. She received a Diplome Universitaire de Technologie (D.U.T.) in computers from the Institute Universitaire de Gertion (I.U.G.).
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~naderrit/mieuxaplef/

Nigeria

Elsie Nwanwuri Thompson is the Deputy Country Vice President for the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA). The Goal of FIDA Nigeria is to improve the welfare of women and children. As the current Deputy Country Vice President, she also acts as the coordinator of all FIDA projects in Nigeria. In this capacity, she ensures that all projects fulfill the objective of creating a better society for women and children. She is also the Project Leader for the CEDPA project "Engendering Legislative Issues" in Rivers State. Elsie is also the Executive Secretary of The Adolescent Project (TAP) Nigeria and is engaged in private Legal practice in Nigeria. She earned a L.L.B. HONS (Bachelor of Law) from Queen Mary College, University of London, England and is a member of the honourable society of Gray's Inn England.

Biodun Christine Olujimi is the National Publicity Secretary for the All People's Party (APP). In this position within the second largest party in Nigeria, she is expected to be the point of dissemination of information to party members, potential voters, and mostly women, who make up the largest number of voters in the country. Her role is to develop messages to convince them of the viability of democracy and the party, and to focus them on issues that can help them attain political prominence and power. She received a post graduate diploma from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~christin

Nigeria

Hauwa Evelyn Shekarau works for FIDA Nigeria (Abuja branch) and is also a PIC member. The goals of FIDA Nigeria are to enhance and promote the welfare of women and children, having realized that on their well-being depends the happiness of the home and the strength of society. The organization also seeks to promote the principles and aims of the United Nations, especially the legal and social aspects, and to establish friendly international relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect of all people. Currently she is working on a project sponsored by CEDPA, which seeks to address injustice done to women by incorporating women's issues into the agenda of both the State and National Assemblies. She is also a member of the Implementation Committee for these projects. She earned a LL.B (Hons), B.L. degree in Civil Law from Ahmadu Bellow University, Zaria, Nigeria.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~thompson/fidanigeria/index.html

Nigeria

Uchenna Udeani is a Senior Lecturer in Science Education at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Working together with other female colleagues in science education, she organizes programs aimed at improving the achievement of girls in Mathematics and Science subjects and increasing the number of girls interested in science and technology careers. She is involved with the Girls and Science Outfit, a non-governmental and non-profit organization committed to improving female underachievement in Mathematics and Science and increasing the number of females in these careers. She earned a Ph.D. in Science Education/Gender Studies from the University of Negeria, Nsukka.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~udeaniuc/gaso/

Awa Wade works for the African Network for the Promotion of Women Workers. As Executive Secretary and Vice-President, she represents the network within and outside Senegal and conducts advocacy and promotion campaigns for women's rights and the improvement of women's working conditions. Working with women workers in formal and informal sectors in urban and rural areas, she seeks to promote them to the top of their unions. She earned an Elementary School Teacher Training Diploma from the Teacher Training School for Young Women.
http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~wadeawa/rafet/