On Thursday 10 March 2016, AfDB Special Envoy on Gender and Vice-President, Geraldine Fraser Moleketi was named "2016 New African Woman of the Year", an award made by London-based magazine New African.

This pan-African magazine intends to mark out the most influential women of the continent, paying tribute to all those who are changing the game in Africa - and beyond.

Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi has, thus, received her distinction for the exemplary fight she has been conducting for many years for the gender equality and empowerment of African women.

"Exude in the audacity of audaciousness!"

Mrs Fraser-Moleketi was unable to attend the awards but was represented by one of the members of her team, who said that she was keen to "dedicate it to young women and young men carving out their African future - and specifically to the AfDB, her team and her family. In her own words, 'as women we must become audacious... exude in the audacity of audaciousness!'"

She continued, 'I am deeply humbled by this award and would like to dedicate it to building an Africa where young women and men do not lose their lives trying to escape poverty. An Africa where young girls and boys are excelling in maths, science, technology and they explore the languages, literature, arts and culture. An Africa where no woman dies in child birth. An Africa where no woman questions her legal status. An Africa where no girl is forced into child marriage because Africa allows her to just be herself.

As a proud African I am working towards an Africa where African women participate fully in decision-making. An Africa in which we are shaping the African inclusive growth story'

Fighter for Gender Equality Named New African Woman of the Year

Geraldine Joslyn Fraser-Moleketi, Special Envoy on Gender at the African Development Bank (AfDB), was named "2016 New African Woman of the Year" by the London-based publication New African magazine. Growing up under the guidance of her grandmother, who was an active trade unionist, Fraser-Moleketi developed a keen political awareness and she joined the struggle for freedom in Apatheid South Africa in the 1960s and '70s. While in exile in Zimbabwe in 1980s, she was drawn into the military structures of the ANC and joined its military wing Umkhonto we Sizwe. She went on to serve successive terms in the post Apatheid South African government as Minister for Public Service and Administration (1999 to 2008) and as Minister for Welfare and Population Development (1996-1999). Before joing AfDB, Fraser-Molekti occupied the position of the Director of the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Democratic Governance Group, overseeing the organization's related strategic and policy work in 197 countries and territories around the globe.

In addition to Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, many others received awards in this ceremony: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chairperson of the African Union Commission ("New African Woman in Politics and Public Office"); the young 14-year-old Nigerian Zuriel Oduwole, for her role in promoting girls' education in Africa, ("New African Woman on the Rise"); the activist Obiageli Ezekwesili, a figure in the #Bringbackourgirls campaign ("New African Woman Award in Civil Society") and co-founder of Transparency International; Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, who directs the African Women in Agricultural Research and Development programme based in Nairobi ("New African Woman in Education"); the renowned architect and philanthropist Olajumoke Adenowo ("New African Woman in Business"); the young Ghanaian entrepreneur Winnifred Selby ("New African Woman in Science, Technology and Innovation"); Arunma Oteh, vice-president of the World Bank ("African Woman in Finance and Banking"); Mo Abudu, the first African woman to have launched a pan-African television channel ("New African Woman Award for Media"); the Ethiopian long-distance runner Almaz Ayana ("New African Woman in Sport"); and Ghanaian director Amma Asante ("New African Woman in Arts and Culture).

A career rich in ideals and combats

Geraldine Frazer-Moleketi joined AfDB in 2013 having formerly been director of the UNDP Democratic Governance Programme and a board member of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, nominated by the UN Secretary-General. Historically an activist in the ANC, she held several ministerial posts following the first democratic elections in South Africa.

The special envoy on gender and her team also write a blog on the Bank website.