ExLA Group Restructures Its YAWC Network 

ExLA Group wishes to announce to the general public, the restructuring of the biggest Pan-African women’s network in Africa, the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) Network. This is in line with the objectives of the annual Young African Women Congress (YAWC), a flagship programme by the gender unit of ExLA Group to ensure that every woman is given the opportunity of empowerment to be able to reach her full potential.

A restructured YAWC Network will even see a more collaborative grassroots approach which will engage more women of African descent from all the countries on the African continent and the diaspora world through a simple registration process for membership status. All women of African descent within the age limits of 18 and 45 are eligible to register through an online process on the YAWC website.

Members of the Network will be entitled to benefits which includes Master Class; Mentorship Series; Scholarship schemes; Representation at International Programmes; Discount packages for YAWC programmes; Counseling / Project Consultancy, Endorsements, Recommendations and Referencing/Letters of Attestation; Exchange Programmes; Legal Aid; International Internship; etc.

Membership of the Network is segregated by Chapters based on country demarcations. Each Chapter has its leadership which sees to the execution of major and peculiar goals. However, there is a common goal which involves grassroots mobilisation of women for leadership and development through advocacy, training and projects.

Before the restructuring, membership of the YAWC Network was restricted to participation at the annual convocation of the Young African Women Congress (YAWC), thus, only women who have attended the congress at least once had the opportunity of being a part of the Network.

However, as part of our belief that empowerment is not a destination but a journey with detours that depend on each woman’s circumstances and opportunities, we recognise that opening up membership to a wider pool will help provide the essential tools to the disadvantaged and disenfranchised, and the environment can be made friendlier for all women so that they can enjoy, participate and contribute to development in the fullness of their capabilities.

The Network is under the management of the YAWC Network Secretariat, an office under the ExLA Group Gender Programme.

We urge all young women of African descent to take advantage of the new structure of the YAWC Network to register and be part of the biggest women’s movement that is transforming the continent.