UYO, NIGERIA–(Marketwired – July 5, 2013) –

Editor’s Note: There is one photo associated with this press release.

President of UN Women National Committee Canada – Almas Jiwani, was honoured with the African Women in Leadership Organization (AWLO) Excellence Award. The Award Committee unanimously awarded Ms. Jiwani in recognition of her work towards women’s empowerment and development in Africa. Under Jiwani’s leadership, UN Women National Committee Canada has grown into a national organization of women and men working to support the overall UN Women mandate in its efforts to empower women and seek gender equality worldwide.

The AWLO leadership conference was attended by African women leaders from across the continent in diverse field such as politics, legislature, business, commerce, and all spheres of life. The African Women in Leadership Conference (AWLC) 2013 was opened by Her Excellency, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State. The conference was supported by the host nation, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the host state of Akwa Ibom. The First Lady, H.E Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, was ably represented by the Honourable Minister for Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia.

The conference culminated in an Awards Gala Dinner where individuals who had impacted positively on the advancement of African women’s leadership and empowerment were honoured. Nine awards were made in the area of their Commitment to Women’s Empowerment, Women Changing Lives and Enriching Communities and Giving Women a Platform and a Voice.