Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi

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Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi
Born (1963-06-11) 11 June 1963 (age 60)
Liverpool, England
NationalityNigerian
Citizenship
Alma mater
Occupation(s)Feminist activist, Gender Specialist, Policy Advocate, writer
Known forCo-founding the African Women's Development Fund [1][2]
Spouse
​
(m. 1989)​
Awards2018 Zik Leadership Prize for humanitarian Leadership by Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC).[3][4][5][6]

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (born 11 June 1963) is a Nigerian-British feminist activist, writer and policy advocate. She was first lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria as wife of Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi from 2018 to 2022. She previously served as first lady from 2010 to 2014 during her husband's first term in office.[7][8] In 2001, she co-founded the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), the first Pan-African grant-making organisation. She serves as a UN Women Nigeria Senior Advisor, and was appointed as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King's College London in 2017.[9][10] She is CEO of Above Whispers Limited, and runs an online community called Abovewhispers.com.[11][12][13]

When her husband Dr. Kayode Fayemi took office as Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria, she became actively involved in a range of policy advocacy, grassroots empowerment and social inclusion programs in Ekiti State. She led the campaign to enact a Gender Based Violence Prohibition Law (2011, revised in October 2019), an Equal Opportunities Bill (2013) and an HIV Anti-Stigma Bill (2014).[14][15] She continues to work on the implementation and sustainability of these initiatives as First Lady of Ekiti State for the second time.[16]

She serves on the Executive Boards of the African Women's Development Fund.[17] She is Chair of the Advisory Council of the Nigerian Women's Trust Fund and also serves on the Governing Council of Elizade University in Nigeria. She is currently Chair of the Gender Based Violence Law Management Committee, Ekiti State and Chair, Ekiti State AIDS Control Agency.[18] She is also on the Steering Committee of the Regional African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) and a member of AWLN-Nigeria Steering Steering Committee where she serves as an Adviser.[19]

Adeleye-Fayemi is the author of Loud Whispers (2017), Speaking for Myself (2013), and an autobiography entitled Speaking above a Whisper (2013). She also co-edited Voice, Power and Soul.[20]

Education[edit]

Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi was born in Liverpool, England, on 11 June 1963. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in history from the University of Ife, now the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.[21] She also received an MA in Gender and Society (1992) from Middlesex University, UK.  She is currently CEO, Above Whispers Limited, specializing in leadership development for women, and she runs an online community called Abovewhispers.com, where she writes a weekly column called "Loud Whispers". She was until recently a UN Women Nigeria Senior Advisor, and was recently appointed as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at King's College, University of London.[22]

Career[edit]

She served as the Director of Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), an international development organisation for African women, based in London, UK, from 1991 to 2001 as well as Executive Director of the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), the first Africa-wide grant-making fund which supports the work of organisations promoting women's rights in Africa, from 2001 to 2010.[23][24]

During her years in the UK, Bisi Fayemi worked in the Department of Health as an Administrative Officer.[25] She then became the Director of Akina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA), an international development organisation for African women based in London, UK, with an Africa regional office in Kampala, Uganda, from 1991 to 2001. While she was the Director of AMwA, she established the African Women's Leadership Institute (AWLI), a training and networking forum for young African women.[26][27] The leadership institute she developed has become such a powerful legacy that today the AWLI has trained more than 6,000 women across Africa, most of whom are now in senior decision-making positions as Ministers, Members of Parliaments, academics, civil society leaders and employees of international organisations.[28]

Adeleye-Fayemi has been associated with a number of international women's rights and philanthropy organisations, including as co-chair of the International Network of Women's Funds, president of the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID), and chair of the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC).[29] She has also been on the board of trustees for Comic Relief (UK).[30]

Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner, delivered Adeleye-Fayemi's 50th birthday lecture in 2013.[31] Titled "Leading the Change: The Journey of an African Woman", the lecture detailed how Adeleye-Fayemi's support was foundational to Gbowee's work in Liberia, eventually leading to her Nobel Prize. Gbowee talked about how Adeleye-Fayemi, as head of AWDF, had supported the women's peace movement in Liberia in its infancy, saying: "We crave change, but wait for someone to come and save us. Most times, our reluctance to creating change and acting accordingly means that we don't change perception about us. But, Bisi, you have helped us to achieve change. You have used your position to sew dreams and show that change is possible, and helped to set our minds to it. That I won the Nobel Prize is because of people like you. That day, you didn't see me. You saw a sister. Today, we say, 'Thank you'. You have helped to set our minds to it."[32]

Personal life[edit]

She is married to Kayode Fayemi, who went on to become Governor of Ekiti State in 2010, and again in 2018; they met while they were students, and they have one son together, Folajimi Fayemi (born 1994).

Awards and recognition[edit]

Adeleye-Fayemi was given the "Changing the Face of Philanthropy" award by the Women's Funding Network in 2007, and was named one of the 20 most influential African women in 2009 by New African magazine.[33][34] In 2011, Women Deliver listed her as one of the top 100 people in the world, advancing the rights of women and girls.[35]

In 2019, she was awarded the 2018 Zik Leadership Prize for humanitarian Leadership by Public Policy Research and Analysis Centre (PPRAC).[36][37][38][39]

Selected publications[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ History - The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF)
  2. ^ Olabisi Adeleye-Fayemi - Synergos
  3. ^ Erelu Fayemi, two governors, former Ghanaian President win Zik leadership prize - The Guardian
  4. ^ Erelu Fayemi, Otedola, Two Governors, Ex-Ghanaian President Win Zik LeadershipPrize
  5. ^ Erelu Fayemi, two govs, former Ghanaian President win Zik Leadership Prize
  6. ^ Mrs. Fayemi receives Zik Prize award - The Nation Online
  7. ^ "Office of the First Lady – Ekiti State Website". Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  8. ^ "Bisi Adeleye - Fayemi". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  9. ^ "King's College London - Ms. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi". www.kcl.ac.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi Bisi... - Nigeria Hall of Fame Records". Facebook. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Above Whispers - About". AboveWhispers. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  12. ^ "The pulse of girl child in 'Loud Whispers'". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 24 December 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  13. ^ "H.E. Olabisi Adeleye-Fayemi. Government of Ekiti, Nigeria – Casa Foundation". casafoundation.ca. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
  14. ^ "Bisi Fayemi: Our focus on Covid-19". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 4 April 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  15. ^ "Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi: A quintessential amazon per excellence". Vanguard News. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi: Women's rights activist and community mobiliser, By Toyin Falola". 9 June 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  17. ^ "The AWDF Board". The African Women's Development Fund (AWDF). Archived from the original on 30 January 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  18. ^ "EKSACA Board – Ekiti State Website". Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  19. ^ "AWLN develops scorecard to track violence against women, girls". The Sun Nigeria. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi". www.kcl.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  21. ^ "Bisi Fayemi (First Lady of Ekiti State, Nigeria)". Tribune Online. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Ms. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi", Visiting Senior Research Fellows, African Leadership Centre, King's College London.
  23. ^ "African Women's Development Fund (AWDF)". Newfield Foundation. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  24. ^ "About AWDF 10 Years of Leadership and Empowerment for African Women". www.awdf.org. Archived from the original on 2 July 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  25. ^ Borisade, Abiodun (26 May 2019). "PROFILE OF HER EXCELLENCY, ERELU BISI FAYEMI, WIFE OF EKITI STATE GOVERNOR AND RECIPIENT 2018 ZIK PRIZE IN LEADERSHIP, ( HUMANITARIAN LEADERSHIP CATEGORY)". Abiodun Borisade. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Our Herstory – Akina Mama wa Afrika". Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  27. ^ "Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi » African Feminist Forum". African Feminist Forum. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  28. ^ "Tribute to Erelu Fayemi @ 58 - The Nation Newspaper". 11 June 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  29. ^ "Profile About Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi". Ashoka www.changemakers.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  30. ^ "Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi Profile". philanthropyforum.org. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  31. ^ "Nobel Laureate Delivers Bisi Fayemi Lecture On Peace, Security – Ekiti State Website". Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Peacemaker Was Here To Fete A Feminist". Punch Nigeria. 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  33. ^ "University for a Night 2011: David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award Honorees". Synergos. Archived from the original on 19 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  34. ^ "Women of Influence". New African. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  35. ^ "Women Deliver 100: 26–50". Women Deliver. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  36. ^ "Erelu Fayemi, two governors, former Ghanaian President win Zik leadership prize". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  37. ^ "Erelu Fayemi, Otedola, Two Governors, Ex-Ghanaian President Win Zik LeadershipPrize – Ekiti State Website". Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  38. ^ "Erelu Fayemi, two govs, former Ghanaian President win Zik Leadership Prize". Vanguard News. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  39. ^ a b "The Nation Newspaper - Latest Nigeria news update". 7 October 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  40. ^ Adeleye-Fayemi, Bisi (2020). Where Is Your Wrapper?. Kachifo Limited. ISBN 978-978-57067-9-6. OCLC 1249565868.
  41. ^ Adeleye-Fayemi, Bisi (20 December 2020). Where Is Your Wrapper?. Prestige imprint.
  42. ^ "Where is your wrapper? – Erelu". Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  43. ^ "OPINION: 'Peace' is in 'Where is Your Wrapper?'". Vanguard News. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  44. ^ "For Adeleye-Fayemi, time for Loud Whispers". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  45. ^ Fayemi, Bisi Adeleye- (30 January 2018). Loud Whispers: Collection of Essays. Amandla Consulting.
  46. ^ "For Adeleye-Fayemi, time for Loud Whispers". 29 November 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  47. ^ https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/thisday-style/20171210/281517931460629. Retrieved 28 May 2022 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  48. ^ "Two days after our wedding, my husband and I were almost homeless". Vanguard News. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  49. ^ Adeleye-Fayemi (2013) Speaking Above A Whisper, Ibadan, Nigeria: Amandla Consulting.
  50. ^ Jimoh, Michael (27 October 2013). "First Lady with a Difference". This Day. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  51. ^ a b "Dr. 'Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi's schedule for Agra Innovate West Africa". agrainnovatewestafrica2016.sched.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  52. ^ a b "Meet the Ekiti state First Lady-in-waiting, Bisi Adeleye Fayemi". Vanguard News. 18 July 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  53. ^ Ajibade, Kunle (21 October 2013). "Championing the Cause of African Women". City Voice. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
  54. ^ Adeleye-Fayemi, Bisi (2014). Speaking for myself: perspectives on social, politcal [sic] and feminist activism. Amandla Consulting. ISBN 978-978-935-796-3. OCLC 986802749.
  55. ^ "The First Lady Debate: Speaking for Myself". Vanguard News. 22 February 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  56. ^ "Erelu Bisi Fayemi: I don't whisper about the rights of women, I speak up". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  57. ^ "FEATURES: BISI FAYEMI: My Joys, Regrets… At 50 – Ekiti State Website". Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  58. ^ Adeleye-Fayemi, Bisi; Horn, Jessica; Wilson, Shamillah; Mukasa, Sarah; Quarmyne, Nyani; African Women Development Fund; African Feminist Forum (2009). Voice, power and soul: portraits of African feminists. African Women's Development Fund. ISBN 978-9988-1-2512-7. OCLC 946579055.
  59. ^ Voice, power and soul : portraits of African feminists. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, Jessica Horn, Shamillah Wilson, Sarah Mukasa, Nyani Quarmyne, African Women Development Fund. Accra, Ghana. 2009. ISBN 978-9988-1-2512-7. OCLC 946579055.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi.
  • [3] Fayemi's wife wins Zik leadership award
  • [4] Erelu Fayemi, two governors, former Ghanaian President win Zik leadership prize
  • [5] Mrs. Fayemi receives Zik Prize award
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