On January 23^rd 2011, on the margins of the 17^th African Union Pre-Summit, the Selection Committee of the African Gender Award, chaired by Ms. Gertrude Mongella, former President of the Pan African Parliament, elected Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of the Republic of Liberia to receive the 2011 African Gender Award.

Following an amazingly energetic speech by Hon. Gertrude Mongella, the Recognitions were presented to P.A Rib’s House and Paramount International Young Women Initiative for the Private Sector and Civil Society Recognitions, respectively. Then, the audience witnessed H.E President Johnson-Sirleaf receive the Award from H.E President Wade, who welcomed her to a restrained circle of African Gender Award Laureates. President Wade commended President Johnson-Sirleaf for her commitment to Africa’s development, for achieving peace and stability in Liberia, and especially for the accomplishments made in developing so quickly a destroyed post-conflict country. President Wade continued on by reiterating his commitment to gender and to Senegalese women, who continue to accompany him in his quest for gender equality: “[…] I am pleased to recall the major role that women play in society and at all levels, to consider the urgent need to strengthen our political will in favor of gender. I perfectly agree with the concept of "Gender Revolution" which I strive to translate into action […]!
This is why in front of this Assembly and in accordance with my vision, I pledge solemnly to bring the request of Women in front of my counterparts in the AU and ECOWAS, to whom I had already proposed the parity in our workspace”. Then, H.E President Wade presented major actions undertaken by his government to promote education for girls, inclusion of women in politics, the police and armed forces, micro-financing for women, women’s entrepreneurship

 The gala dinner was set under the music of various artists, including the famous Miatta Fahnbullen from Liberia who got all the audience off their chairs and up on their feet dancing, and Senegalese artist Alioune Mbaye Nder’s well known dance steps and lyrics. The guests also had the pleasure to watch a movie on FAS and the African Gender Award and a short documentary on Liberia’s post-conflict reconstruction.

AGFA received media coverage through a press conference organized by the International Conference’s Scientific Committee, attended by Hon. Awa Ndiaye, Minister of Culture, Gender, and Quality of Life, and Ms. Diop, and during the African Gender Award Ceremony, attended by multiple international and local media.

AWARD 2011 - Publications

• Programme

• Programme
• FAS Information note on Liberia celebration of Septembre 9th 2011
  

AWARD 2011 - Speech

• H.E. Abdoulaye WADE
  

AWARD 2011 - Media

• Gallery Photos

• Press
  

• Press Kit
• AGFA 2011 PRESS RELEASE: English/French
• Press review
  
• "Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Honored at African Gender Award Ceremony" by UN Women