I don't subscribe to that school of thought that leadership can be altogether defined by gender.

If women decide that their mission, their political career, balances out what they have to give up, they can be and are equally successful as men.

Women have more inner power for creation, starting from family and home and ending with professional activity and politics.

I am a person of action. If I see I can bring a positive change, I will go for it, never mind that something might be hard to achieve.

I believe that the world has become more democratic and open. Women have become more outspoken, more active and competitive. They have achieved great accomplishments in many fields that were previously dominated by men.

It was my mother, despite the limitations placed on women of her time by society, who insisted I be allowed to go abroad to study, in sturdy defiance of the male elders of the family, who protested and decided that I should be married off instead.

I have led the way for moving women from traditional roles to strategic positions and inspired girls and women throughout Africa to seek leadership positions.