Ugandan among most innovative women in the world

Agnes Atim Apea. Photos by Francis Emorut

A woman from Amolatar district has been named among the most 100 influential and innovative women in the world.

Agnes Atim Apea, a PhD holder joins the list of African influential women such as the first female Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who has bowed down after serving two terms as president.

Every year, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), names 100 influential and inspirational women around the world. 

This year, the women have been challenged to tackle four of the biggest problems facing women in the world today.

These are; glass ceiling, female illiteracy, harassment in public places and sexism in sport.

Dr Atim who is the chief executive officer of Hope Development Initiative, a non-governmental organisation based in Amolatar district received the breaking news while in her room in Seascope Hotel, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

The mother of three and popularly known as "Mama Rice" in her home district, Atim could not believe the BBC zeroed on her among millions of women in the world.

"I was surprised and I could not believe I could make it to the top 100 women in the world," Dr Atim who was attending the 7th African Grain Trade Summit said.

Agnes Atim Apea (fourth left) with delegates during the 7th African Grain Trade Summit in Dar es Salaam

She said her fight for social justice among the women and girl-child education contributed to her being listed among the 100 women change makers.

According to the 42-year-old mother, over 10,000 women farmers have benefited from her organisation, which specialises in providing agricultural farm inputs, market access and credit facilities.

Her organisation focuses on production, agro-processing and trading in rice that has created a social fabric of the community and well-being of individuals and families. 

The beneficiaries include women farmers in the districts of Amolatar, Apac, Lira and Aleptong.

Dr Atim, a social entrepreneur, gender and development worker said that investing in social enterprises that trade for a social/environmental good is what communities need rather than depending on government, grants and donations. 

Other women in Africa who made to the list of influential and innovative women are Nigeria's musician Tiwa Savage, Marieme Jamme from Senegal and Talent Jumo from Zimbabwe.

Three women from Kenya; Adeke Onyango, 28, a radio and television host, Anita Nderu, 27, a television presenter and news anchor and Naomi Mwaura, 31 also made the list.