The Pan-African Women Network of the Americas (PAWNA) unites African women and women of African descent across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. We are a growing network dedicated to advancing leadership, expanding economic opportunities, promoting education, strengthening advocacy, and fostering community development. Through meaningful connections, shared knowledge, strategic partnerships, and collaborative initiatives, we create opportunities for women to grow, lead, and contribute to solutions that strengthen families, communities, and institutions across the Americas.
Connecting African Women. Creating Opportunities. Inspiring Change.
A future where African women and women of African descent enjoy equal opportunities to lead, influence decisions, build successful enterprises, and participate fully in shaping inclusive and prosperous societies.
To connect, empower, and create opportunities for African women and women of African descent through leadership development, economic empowerment, education, advocacy, and community engagement across the Americas.
Empowered Women
Community Members
Mentorships
Years Experience
Our work is guided by inclusion and equity, collaboration, leadership, respect, accountability, service, and a commitment to creating lasting impact. These values shape how we engage with our members, build partnerships, design programmes, and contribute to the advancement of women and their communities.
At PAWNA, we turn our commitment to women’s empowerment into meaningful action. Through leadership development, economic empowerment, education, health and well-being, and community engagement, we create opportunities for African women and women of African descent across the Americas to thrive, lead, and drive lasting change.
Equipping women with leadership skills to influence decisions, strengthen representation, and drive inclusive governance across communities.
Creating opportunities for women through entrepreneurship, financial literacy, professional development, and access to sustainable economic opportunities.
Expanding access to education, digital literacy, mentorship, and lifelong learning to help women thrive in evolving economies.
Promoting women’s health, emotional well-being, and access to essential resources through awareness, education, and community support.
Building networks that foster collaboration, cultural exchange, shared learning, and collective action among African women across the Americas.
There are many ways to become part of PAWNA and contribute to our mission. Whether you want to expand your professional network, develop your leadership skills, volunteer your expertise, establish strategic partnerships, or support programmes that empower women, we welcome your participation. Together, we can create opportunities, strengthen connections, and advance meaningful change across the Americas.
Membership offers an opportunity to connect with a diverse community of African women and women of African descent across the Americas. Members can access networking opportunities, participate in events and learning programmes, engage in leadership conversations, share professional experiences, and explore collaborations that support personal, professional, and community development.
Volunteers play an important role in advancing PAWNA’s mission. By contributing their time, expertise, and experience, volunteers help support events, mentorship initiatives, research, communications, and community programmes. We welcome individuals who are passionate about women’s empowerment and are willing to contribute to initiatives that create meaningful and sustainable impact.
PAWNA welcomes partnerships with organisations, universities, businesses, foundations, development institutions, and community groups that share our commitment to advancing opportunities for African women and women of African descent. Through collaboration, we aim to develop impactful programmes, expand access to resources, strengthen institutional relationships, and create sustainable solutions that support women’s leadership and development across the Americas.
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