NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK -- (Marketwire) -- 05/26/12 -- Editors Note: There are six photos associated with this press release.

Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women Canada National Committee addressed the Zawadi Africa Education Fund Conference at Hofstra University. Ms. Jiwani delivered the opening remarks to academically distinguished girl attendees on the topic entitled, "The Importance of Female Entrepreneurs for Business and Society". Subsequent to her opening remarks, Jiwani also created an enabling environment for girl's empowerment by conducting an interactive workshop that focused on providing young African girls tangible advise on how to empower themselves, build their future and facilitate their leadership potential through non profit, social entrepreneurial and educational endeavors.

"The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is an exceptional program that offers university scholarships and leadership development and life-skills training for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged African girls. It was truly an honor to join some of Africa's bright young minds. The exchange of ideas that we had with the girls is essential towards grooming the next generation of Africa's empowered women leaders," said Ms. Jiwani.

Susan Mboya, President of Zawadi Africa Education Fund stated, "During the Zawadi Africa summer leadership conference we will bring together some of the premier women leaders and thinkers on women's empowerment akin to illustrious humanitarian and women's equality trailblazer like Ms. Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women Canada National Committee to teach and interact with upcoming young African women leaders, and in so doing, will be helping to shape the future of the continent . We are humbled that Ms. Jiwani's and many other women's attendance at the conference will light the hope for a better future in the hearts of many young girls."

Zawadi, which means "gift" in Swahili, has given away almost USD $12 Million in scholarship value to date through the Zawadi Africa Education Fund. The scholarship program is based on the highly successful Kennedy/Mboya Student Airlifts of the 1960's, through a partnership with individuals and institutions with an interest in creating leadership opportunities for girls/women in Africa. US colleges and universities provided full scholarships, while the program sponsors paid for airfare and student upkeep. Over 80% of East Africa's immediate post- independence leaders were graduates of the student airlift program, including Kenya's Professor Leah Marangu the Vice Chancellor Nazarene University, Professor Wangari Mathaai, Africa's first Nobel Peace prize Laureate, and Barrack Obama Sr., father of Senator Barrack Obama of Illinois, to name a few.

About the National Committee for UN Women-Canada

The National Committee for UN Women - Canada raises UN Women's profile and promotes its work in Canada; raises funds for UN Women projects; creates awareness within the Canadian governments for increased funding for UN Women projects; and encourages non-governmental organizations to promote and support UN Women initiatives.

For an interview with Ms. Almas Jiwani, President of UN Women Canada National Committee or for more information about UN Women Canada National Committee please contact:

Mr. Ovais Shah (Research and Communications Chair) or Ms. Andrea Smith
(Research and Communications Team Member)
Research and Communications
UN Women Canada National Committee
416-333-6261
communications@unwomencanada.orghttp://www.unwomencanada.org/

About Zawadi Education Fund

The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is a program designed to provide scholarships to academically gifted girls from disadvantaged backgrounds from Africa to pursue higher education in the US. The Zawadi Africa Education Fund is based on the highly successful Kennedy/Mboya Student airlifts of the 1960's, through a partnership with individuals and institutions with an interest in creating leadership opportunities for girls in Africa.

To learn more about Zawadi Africa Education Fund, please contact:

Maggie Githuku,
Program Administrator,
9378 Mason Montgomery Road
Suite 238
Mason Ohio, 45040.
Tel: 513-404-0255
maggie@zawadiafrica.org

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