Today, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf joined Clare McDonnell, host of Newsday on the BBC World Service, to discuss how the EJS Center’s Amujae Initiative is supporting talented African women to ascend to senior public leadership roles. 

The Amujae Initiative, the EJS Center’s flagship program, is currently accepting applications to join its 2021 cohort of Amujae Leaders. Encouraging women to apply to join the program, Madam Sirleaf said:

“ brings together African women who have started their leadership journey, who have committed themselves to doing more in public service, to ascend in their roles together with those women who have advanced and excelled in leadership.”

Madam Sirleaf also described how the program will effectively “amplify the voice of women increase the participation of women in public leadership roles.” She noted that while major milestones for women’s rights and political participation have been achieved, there is still more work to be done:

“Although significant progress has been made for the advancement of women, I think it is clear that much more needs to be done from all of us–women and men–all over the world to advance women in all roles in our societies.”

Madam Sirleaf also emphasized the role that men have to play in supporting African women on their leadership journeys. 

 “Recognize the role and important contribution that women play when they have equal rights, when they have justice, when they are allowed to ascend to leadership on the basis of their effort and their commitment to promoting women throughout society.”

Applications for the 2021 cohort of Amujae Leaders are open until September 30, 2020. Women across the African continent who meet the application criteria are invited to apply here.

Listen to the full interview here.