On September 19, 2017, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted a panel discussion on “Maximizing Women’s Economic Leadership, Participation, and Impact in Africa” as part of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum. Dr. Blair Ruble, Vice President for Programs at the Wilson Center, offered opening remarks, followed by a welcome from Mr. Eddie C. Brown, the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Brown Capital Management and Cabinet Member of the Wilson National Cabinet. The event featured five speakers: Mr. Wade Channell, Senior Economic Growth Advisor at the U.S. Agency for International Development; Ms. Ouida Chichester, Manager at Business for Social Responsibility; Dr. Shea Garrison, Program Manager at Vital Voices; Ms. Christina Hardaway, Gender and Entrepreneurship Officer at the U.S. Department of State; and, Ms. Rahama Wright, Founder and CEO of Shea Yeleen International and member of the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. In the forward-leaning discussion, the panelists examined the current status, best practices, and ways forward for women’s economic participation in Africa, highlighting progress made and challenges faced by women in the labor market.
