By Chinedum Treasure
The 4th Biennial International Conference and General Meeting of Soroptimists International Africa Federation (SIAF) has ended in Nairobi, Kenya, with a strong call for governments and national development planners to recognise and integrate Soroptimists International into sustainable development programmes focused on women and girls.
The conference, held from September 25 to 27, 2026, was themed “Leading the Way to Empowerment and Sustainability in Africa and Beyond,” with the sub-theme, “Lighting the Path: Unlocking Africa’s Transformative Power Through Women’s Leadership, Resilience, and Solidarity.”
The event attracted the International President of Soroptimists International of Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), Renata Trottmann Probst, while the Nigerian delegation was led by the President of Soroptimists Nigeria, Dr. Adaku Aniebue.
President of SIAF, Mary Muia, said the organisation was created out of SIGBI to provide African women and girls with a stronger voice through education, enablement and empowerment.
According to her, Soroptimists International is committed to building healthier people, a healthier planet, and promoting human rights and social justice.
Muia noted that the well-being of women and girls was closely connected to environmental protection, fundamental rights and inclusive equity.
She added that African women were increasingly emerging as key actors in climate resilience, maternal and child health advocacy and the promotion of social justice.
At the conference, President of Soroptimists International, Onitsha Niger, Dr. Vera Nkiru Nwadinobi, presented a paper titled “Systemic Power Dynamics as Prerequisite for Women and Girls Leadership for a Healthier, Safer, and Empowered Future.”
Nwadinobi called for stronger leadership pipelines for women through political quotas and structured mentorship programmes that would enable experienced African women leaders to train and mentor younger women and girls.
She said a healthier future should translate women’s voices into well-being, while a safer future should convert authority into protection and an economically empowered future should transform power into prosperity.
Nwadinobi, a former Executive Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Awka, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Guidance and Counselling, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, urged Soroptimists to redefine their traditional triad of “educate, enable and empower women and girls” through a more systematic approach.
She advocated a shift from literacy to social power, from survival capacity to economic authority, and from aid beneficiaries to institutional leaders capable of transforming their communities and societies.
The conference featured a panel discussion on the theme, the Annual General Meeting, SIAF Best Practices Recognition across Health and Wellbeing, Healthier Planet, Economic Empowerment and Next Generation Leadership, as well as the presentation of certificates and other technical sessions.
Tags: oroptimists #WomenLeadership #WomenEmpowerment
