South African producer and entrepreneur Carol Bouwer brought African women’s leadership and peacebuilding into the global spotlight in New York on September 21, as her African Odyssey marked its 10th anniversary alongside the 10-year milestone of the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF).
The milestone gathering, held on the International Day of Peace, brought together women leaders, philanthropists, humanitarian advocates and supporters of women-led peacebuilding, with Botswana’s First Lady, Her Excellency Madame Kaone Boko, delivering the keynote address and announcing a new Gender-Based Violence Fund.
The event placed particular focus on the work of women living and working in conflict-affected communities, while also celebrating African Odyssey’s decade-long role as a platform connecting women in business, government, philanthropy and impact work across Africa and its diaspora.
African Odyssey describes itself as a collaboration space for women in the African diaspora, while WPHF is a global partnership supporting local women’s organisations working to prevent conflict, respond to crises and build sustainable peace.
African Odyssey and WPHF mark 10 years
For Bouwer, the anniversary represented a decade of building connections around women and their role in shaping communities.
“When women and our allies come together with purpose, something shifts, in the room, in the world, and in each of us,” Bouwer said.
“Tonight reminded me that the strength of African women is not just in what we do, but in how deeply we show up for one another. This decade has been built on sisterhood, courage and connection, and that is what will carry us into the next.”
The event also brought together supporters whose contributions helped raise funds for WPHF’s work with women peacebuilders.
Among those recognised was Malaak Compton-Rock, who was officially launched as a WPHF Global Luminary in recognition of her humanitarian work and advocacy for women leading peace efforts around the world.
Botswana First Lady announces gender-based violence fund
Boko used her keynote address to announce the launch of her new Gender-Based Violence Fund, framing the issue as inseparable from the broader question of peace.
Botswana media reported a P1 million contribution from Lucara Botswana towards a National Gender-Based Violence Fund.
“Gender-Based Violence is the Absence of Peace,” she said, stressing that peace must include dignity, equality, safety and opportunity.
Boko also pledged to use her platform to speak for women and children who do not have access to similar platforms.
“I will never think twice about speaking for women. I will never think twice about speaking on behalf of women who don’t get such platforms. I will never think twice about speaking on behalf of our children.”
Auction supports women-led peacebuilding
The anniversary gathering also featured an auction organised by African Odyssey, with proceeds going towards WPHF and its work supporting women’s organisations and women peacebuilders in conflict-affected communities.
Auction contributions included a necklace and earring set donated by Lucara Botswana, as well as a bespoke Lindiwe piece featuring a bag designed by Carol Bouwer Bags.
The event also highlighted the partnership between African Odyssey and organisations supporting women across business, philanthropy and humanitarian work.
For Bouwer, however, the milestone was ultimately about what could come next.
“This decade has been built on sisterhood, courage and connection,” she said, “and that is what will carry us into the next.”
