About Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS

African Women in Leadership and Management Conference

Theme:
Empowering Women Leaders for a Resilient and Equitable Future

📅 Date: August 17 – 21, 2026
📍 Venue: CMD Center, Kigali, Rwanda
🏢 Organizer: Center for Management and Development (CMD) – Rwanda

🎯 Conference Overview

The African Women in Leadership and Management Conference (AWLMC 2026) is an international academic and professional forum dedicated to advancing the role of women in leadership, governance, and management across Africa and the global stage. Women are increasingly shaping the trajectory of organizations, governments, and communities. Yet, their leadership journeys often face obstacles ranging from systemic inequalities and limited representation to policy barriers and cultural constraints.

In an era where the world is confronting economic volatility, social transformation, and global uncertainty, the importance of women’s leadership for resilience and equity cannot be overstated. Research consistently shows that organizations and nations benefit greatly when women occupy leadership roles: decision-making becomes more inclusive, policies more equitable, and institutions more sustainable.

This conference, organized by the Center for Management and Development (CMD) – Rwanda, provides a platform to celebrate women leaders, amplify their voices, and strengthen their capacity to lead across sectors. It will bring together scholars, policymakers, civil society leaders, executives, and development partners to share research, debate pressing issues, and highlight innovative leadership practices.

Through peer-reviewed paper presentations, keynote addresses, workshops, and interactive dialogues, participants will explore strategies to empower women leaders, promote equity, and build resilient institutions. The conference will also highlight African success stories while drawing lessons from global experiences to inspire transformation at every level of leadership.

Expected Outcomes

• Strengthen academic and policy understanding of women’s leadership and management.
• Showcase innovative strategies that empower women in public and private institutions.
• Build a network of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers advancing gender equity.
• Publish accepted papers in the CMD Rwanda Annual Conference Proceedings (ISSN pending).
• Provide actionable recommendations to governments, institutions, and civil society on promoting inclusive leadership.

📌 Conference Modules & Extended Sub-Themes

Module 1: Women in Political and Institutional Leadership

• Representation of women in political office and governance institutions
• Women’s leadership in peacebuilding and conflict resolution
• Comparative perspectives on women’s political empowerment
• Institutional reforms for gender equity in leadership

Module 2: Women in Corporate and Public Sector Management

• Breaking barriers in executive and senior management roles
• Gender equity in corporate governance boards
• Women entrepreneurs and business leadership
• Work-life balance and leadership resilience

Module 3: Education, Training, and Leadership Capacity Development

• Education as a foundation for women’s empowerment
• Leadership development programs for young women
• Mentorship and role modeling in women’s leadership journeys
• Building future-ready women leaders in Africa

Module 4: Policy, Governance, and Equity

• Policy frameworks for gender mainstreaming
• Governance reforms for women’s empowerment
• National and regional strategies for gender equality
• Monitoring and evaluation of gender-inclusive policies

Module 5: Women, Technology, and Innovation in Leadership

• Harnessing technology to promote women’s participation in leadership
• Women leaders in science, innovation, and entrepreneurship
• Bridging the digital divide for women in Africa
• Case studies of innovative leadership practices by women

Module 6: Global Perspectives and Partnerships

• Lessons from global women’s leadership movements
• International cooperation and women’s empowerment
• Cross-cultural perspectives on women in leadership
• Building global partnerships for resilient and equitable futures

✍️ Submission Guidelines

• Abstracts: 250–300 words (title, author(s), affiliation, keywords)
• Full Papers: 5,000–8,000 words, APA or Harvard referencing style
• Review Process: Double-blind peer review by CMD Rwanda Academic Committee
• Proceedings: Accepted papers will be published in the CMD Rwanda Annual Conference Proceedings. Selected papers may be recommended for partner journals.

📅 Important Dates

• Abstract Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: June 20, 2026
• Full Paper Submission Deadline: July 25, 2026
• Conference Dates: August 17 – 21, 2026

📖 Draft Program Outline

Day 1 – August 17, 2026

• Registration & Opening Ceremony
• Keynote: Women’s Leadership for Africa’s Transformation
• Plenary I: Empowering Women in Governance and Politics

Day 2 – August 18, 2026

• Parallel Academic Paper Presentations
• Panel: Women in Corporate and Public Sector Management

Day 3 – August 19, 2026

• Workshops: Mentorship, Training, and Leadership Development
• Roundtable: Policy and Governance for Gender Equity

Day 4 – August 20, 2026

• Academic Presentations (continued)
• Panel: Technology, Innovation, and Women in Leadership

Day 5 – August 21, 2026

• Closing Plenary: Global Perspectives on Women’s Leadership
• Adoption of Conference Recommendations
• Closing Ceremony & Certificates

💲 Conference Fee

• Advance Payment: $500 USD
• On-site Payment: $1000 USD (Cash Only)
  (Fee covers participation, conference materials, proceedings, tea/lunch breaks, and certificate)

💳 Payment Instructions

You can make your payment through either of the following methods:

1. Online Payment
   Visit our website at www.cmd.rw to make a secure payment.
2. Wire Transfer
• Account Name: Center for Management Development
• Account Number: 100089348069
• Bank: Bank of Kigali
• IBAN: RW50040100089347577840
• SWIFT Code: BKIGRWRW

📞 Contact & Submission

📞 Phone: +250 791 958 080
📧 Email: info@cmd.rw | papers@cmd.rw
🌐 Website: www.cmd.rw