Rainatou Sow is the executive director of Make Every Woman Count (MEWC), an African woman-led organisation that monitors African States progress to meet their commitments on women’s rights and gender equality. The organisation has been tracking the progress, challenges and gaps of the 55 African Countries during the African Women’s Decade. Rai holds an MA in Law and in International Relations; she has over ten years of experience working with International Organizations, CSOs, and policy-makers focusing on advocacy, research and policy. She has been working with various agencies such as the African Union, United Nations, European Union, INGOs, CSOs, women’s groups on women’s rights, gender equability, peace, development and human rights.

Over the years, she has received many awards and honours in recognition of her work, such as the “Most Inspirational Woman” by Women4Africa in 2012, Forbes Magazine named her as one of the “20 Youngest Power Women in Africa 2012″ and one of the "20 young builders of Africa of tomorrow in 2014" Salt Magazine named her as one of the World’s 100 Most Inspiring Women. She was BBC 100 Women in 2013 and 2014. She received the Pan African Humanitarian Awards on Gender Equality and Advocacy in 2016 and the “Change Maker” Award from the African Achievers Awards in 2017.

Publications:

• Write to Speak – 2021
• Continental Report of Women in Leadership and Decision-making in Africa Report – 2018-2019
• The State of African Women’s Rights Report “Right by Her” – 2018
• African Women’s Decade 2010-2020 (Yearly Reports: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
• Women and ICT in Africa: A New Digital Gap – Aljazeera – 2014
• Journey to Equality: 10 Years of the Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa – 2013

rai@mewc.org

https://www.mewc.org/