The Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, has called on African countries to deliberately create more opportunities for women to participate in leadership and decision-making, warning that the continent’s development could be undermined if half of its human capital remains excluded.
Olori Atuwatse III made the call while speaking at the Amujae High-Level Leadership Forum in Senegal, where she emphasised the importance of women’s voices in addressing Africa’s political, economic and social challenges.
She also paid tribute to former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whom she described as an important example of transformational female leadership in Africa.
According to the Queen Consort, Sirleaf’s contribution extends beyond becoming Africa’s first elected female head of state, as she has continued to mentor women and create pathways for a new generation of female leaders.
Olori Atuwatse III observed that although African women have made notable progress in leadership over the past two decades, women who have risen to the highest political offices on the continent remain relatively few.
She argued that the emergence of women in leadership should no longer be treated as an unusual achievement, but should become an accepted and normal feature of African governance.
The Queen Consort further pointed to Africa’s history of influential women, citing Queen Amina of Zaria, the Omu of Ossomari in Delta State and Senegal’s Ndaté Yalla Mbodj as examples of women who played significant roles in governance, commerce and the development of their societies.
She said the continent’s contemporary challenges, including economic pressures, political instability and climate concerns, require the combined knowledge, experience and leadership of both men and women.
For her, investing in women is therefore more than a question of gender equality, describing it as a strategic requirement for Africa to achieve sustainable development and remain competitive globally.
Speaking about initiatives in the Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III highlighted her EstablishHER initiative, which she said has supported thousands of women through mentorship, counselling and enterprise development.
She also referenced the Women Allying Women (WAW) Network, an initiative focused on intergenerational mentorship and helping more women develop the skills and confidence required to take up leadership responsibilities.
The Queen Consort stressed that genuine empowerment should not end with individual success, but should involve creating opportunities for other women to rise.
She urged African leaders to strengthen institutions and policies that recognise, support and invest in women leaders, noting that the continent would make greater progress when women are regarded not as exceptions in positions of authority but as equal partners in determining Africa’s future.
Originally written by Patrick Ese Ochoga and published by Leadership Newspapers. Rewritten and adapted for Women News Today.
