Dar es Salaam. Ms Bernice Fernandes, the Tanzanian founder and CEO of Accelerate Business Group and Accelerate Women, was in a recent past honored with the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Festival (GEF) Award for her exceptional leadership in empowering women.
The award, presented on November 24, 2024 in Nigeria, comes at a time when the importance of women’s economic participation is increasingly recognized as a powerful driver for sustainable growth across the globe.
As part of her involvement in the GEF, Fernandes delivered the opening keynote at the International Women’s Congress, held during the festival, where she captivated the audience with her call for poverty eradication and gender equality.
Themed “Poverty Eradication—Beyond Boundaries,” the event highlighted the critical role women play in tackling global poverty, with Ms Fernandes making a compelling case that empowering women is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.
In her address, she stressed that true societal transformation begins with empowering the girl child.
She spoke passionately about the damaging effects of child marriage, which she described as a barrier to a girl’s potential and a perpetuator of generational poverty.
“When a girl is married off young, she becomes trapped in a life of limited choices,” Ms Fernandes explained.
“She grows up believing her only role is to bear children and manage a household, without ever realizing what else she is capable of.”
Drawing on personal experience, she shared how she overcame significant challenges to redefine her purpose.
A decade ago, she participated in a one-year mentorship program that helped her gain clarity about her leadership path.
“You need to be hungry for growth to become a leader,” she said, urging women to embrace leadership development and technical expertise.
She highlighted how the support she received allowed her to let go of multiple jobs and focus solely on her journey to success.
At the heart of Ms Fernandes’ speech was her call for collective action to end child marriage and ensure girls are given the time, education, and skills they need to thrive.
“Imagine what the world would look like if every girl had the chance to learn, innovate, and lead,” she said.
Her remarks highlighted how empowering women and girls has a direct impact on economic growth, with evidence showing that nations with higher female participation in the workforce experience more robust economic outcomes.
Beyond her keynote address, Ms Fernandes moderated the Women’s Power Panel at GEF, which focused on “Women Leading Change Through Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Networking.”
The session provided practical strategies for women to build connections, access opportunities, and contribute to their communities’ economic transformation.
Ms Fernandes’ contributions to the festival were recognized with the prestigious GEF Award, honoring her tireless efforts to promote women’s empowerment.
Reflecting on her time at the festival, Fernandes praised Nigeria’s vibrant culture and the inspiring atmosphere at GEF, where her advocacy for women’s leadership resonated deeply with the audience.
“Women are the leaders who can transform the world,” she declared, leaving the audience energized and committed to championing the cause of women and girls, ensuring they are empowered to unlock their full potential.
