First African woman to be awarded the Minerva Prize: our very own, Mama Koite, FEMNET's Chairperson/La premiere femme africaine recoit le Prix Minerva: celle qui vient de nos propres rangs, Mama Koite, Presidente de FEMNET.

• Position: Minerva Prize Award

On the 22nd November 2007, the Italian Association "Il Club delle Donne" (Women's Club), located in Rome, awarded the 2007 Minerva Prize to Mama Koite Doumbia, FEMNET's Chairperson. The Association bestows the Prize every year to remarkable women working in the field of "knowledge" and who are role models thanks to their professional ability and positive qualities. Indeed, the Prize honours and recognizes women who are continuously fighting against all odds to instill new knowledge, new values and new passions to their communities.

The Prize is also assigned to men for their professional and positive contribution made to the society. Under the category "Premio Minerva Internazionale all'lmpegno Sociale" ("International Minerva Prize for the Social Engagement"), Ms Simone Ovart, President of the National Committee for UNIFEM, Italy noted that Mama Koite was the first African woman to be awarded the Prize, because her "Life has been a continuous proof of her commitment to the protection of human rights".

In 2006, the same category was bestowed, to Noeleen Heizer, UNIFEM Executive Director and Member of the UN Committee of the Status of Women (CSW), and in 2005, to Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasmi, Minister of Economics and Planning of the United Arab Emirates, and first woman in the country to hold a governmental office. On behalf of FEMNET staff, members and board, we take this opportunity to congratulate Mama Koite and wish her blessings in her endeavours to advance African women's rights. We are proud of you Mama!

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Le 22 novembre 2007, l'Association italienne qui s'appelle "Il Club delle Donne" (Club des Femmes), situee a Rome a remis le prix de merite Minerva 2007 a Mama Koite Doumbia, Presidente de FEMNET. L'Association octroie Le Prix...