The Award Ceremony will celebrate the Laureate's country: Rwanda and its Head of State, President Paul Kagamé . The ceremony will be hosted by President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal ; and we anticipate the participation of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa , who was the co-laureate of the 2005 African Gender Award. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia , the first elected woman President in Africa , has also been invited to attend the ceremony.

At the ceremony, two other recognitions will also be awarded to the private sector and the civil society. Pro-Femmes/Twese Hamwe will receive the distinction for the Civil Society and the Banque Populaire pour la Promotion de la Femme for the Private Sector. These laureates, who will be rewarded for their commitment in women's advancement, have been selected by two Rwandese Committees composed of members who belong to their respective sectors .

Participants of the Forum and Award

The first edition of the African Gender Forum was a great opportunity and space for networking and building partnerships between actors. 116 delegates from 23 countries and four continents attended the event. African Gender Forum participants are welcome to attend the Award ceremony along with the Laureate, President Paul Kagamé , the two Recognition recipients, the Senegalese, Rwandese and South African authorities and their invitees, women's groups, private sector members and FAS' worldwide members and partners. About 300 guests are expected to celebrate the event.

Who can participate?

• Policy makers
• Civil Society Organisations
• Representatives of International and Non-governmental organisations
• Representatives of African Diasporas Organisations
• Women Organisations
• Representatives of the Private Sector
• Journalists
• Academics, Researchers and Students
• Interested Individuals