The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development was founded in 2018 to be a catalyst for political and social change across Africa by helping unleash its most abundant latent power — its women. The EJS Center aims to amplify the voice of women and girls in all spheres of life by increasing the representation of women in public service leadership roles in Africa. Through a unique blend of programming, advocacy, archival research and museum exhibitions, the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center seeks to become a premier institution dedicated to advancing and sustaining women’s political and social development on the continent.
Through its work, the EJS Center envisions more voices heard, talents unleashed, and leaders launched that prioritize the aspirations of women. Its mission is to champion women’s ascension to the highest levels of leadership and challenges systemic barriers to girls’ and women’s advancement.
As the first democratically elected woman president in Africa, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf led Liberia from 2006-2018. Having been recognized internationally for her leadership, she is passionate about supporting the next generation of women in public life across the continent.
One of the barriers to women’s advancement in public leadership is adverse media coverage which includes both under-coverage and negative/ toxic coverage. In order to create an enabling environment for African women to ascend to the highest levels of political leadership, it is crucial to equip journalists with the skills to cover women equally and fairly and to address subconscious biases and stereotypes of women that are prevalent in newsrooms across the continent.
The EJS Center is carrying out gender sensitivity trainings for journalists and producers in Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia over the course of 2021 and is seeking In-Country Delivery Partners and International Trainers and who will work with us to organise and deliver the trainings.
Deadline for applications for Senegal has been extended to August 31st 2021.