Ijara MP Sophia Abdi Noor Bags Pride of Africa Women Award

Ijara MP Sophia Abdi Noor bagged the Pride of Africa Women Award during a summit in Namibia.

The award was given to Abdi Noor during the summit on Saturday, whose objective was to enhance the political understanding of women's role in conflict prevention, resolution and post-conflict peace building.

The MP was accorded the award by Women Advancement for Economic and Leadership Empowerment Foundation in Africa (WAELE Africa) following her role in the liberation of women in Africa.

"This award is great recognition and motivation for all those women who contribute to women empowerment in terms of education and health among other sectors.

"On behalf of the people of Ijara and Kenya at large, I wish to thank the committee for recognising our efforts," stated Noor.

Waele President Dr Basirat Nahibi stated that the award would act as a motivation to other female leaders.

Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and other five African leaders were also awarded at the ceremony.

Selection of the award that was clinched by the Ijara MP was based on case studies done within Unesco's special project on women and cultural peace in Africa.

Noor is the founder of Womankind Kenya which is a non-governmental organisation in the Northeastern region that fights for women’s education and combating harmful cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

During the 2017 General Election, Noor became the first female to be elected to parliament in a region that is dominated by male politicians.

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