Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba is an emblematic figure in the struggle for gender equality and peace in West Africa. Born in 1945 in Coyah, Guinea, this activist woman broke the barriers to become the first female Secretary-General of the Mano River Union, a regional organization comprising Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
As a trained pharmacist, she has held key positions within the Government of Guinea, including as Minister for Social Affairs and the Promotion of Women and Children.
Pioneer, she was the only female candidate in the 2010 Guinea presidential election. Her tireless commitment to the cause of women and peace earned her the 2003 United Nations Human Rights Award for her work in the Mano River Union Women's Network for Peace. (REFMAP).
Introduction
In a world long dominated by men, some women have been able to break down barriers and pave the way to the highest spheres of power. Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba is a perfect example. This woman activist from Guinea has marked the history of her country and the West African region with her tireless commitment to the cause of women and peace.
Born in 1945 in Coyah, Guinea, in the heart of a modest family, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba grew up in a context where women still had little place in the public sphere. Yet, from an early age, she was able to forge her political weapons, inspired by her father, a soldier and activist under the regime of late President Ahmed Sékou Touré.
Education
Aware of the importance of education in achieving her goals, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba studied as a pharmacist in Leipzig and Halle, Germany, from 1966 to 1979. This high-level education has enabled her to acquire strong skills in the medical field, which she has subsequently applied in her professional career.
Career
Upon his return to Guinea in 1970, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba began his career teaching at the Hadja Mafory Bangoura School of Medicine and Pharmacy. This experience has enabled him to pass on his knowledge to future generations of health professionals, while strengthening his credibility as an expert in his field.
But Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba did not merely stay in the academic world. She then joined Pharmaguinée, a state-owned pharmaceutical company, where she climbed the ranks to become the Deputy National Director of Exports at the Ministry of Foreign Trade. This key position enabled him to develop his management and diplomacy skills, two key assets for his future career.
In 1996, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba made a further step in her career by being appointed Minister for Social Affairs and the Promotion of Women and Children. This nomination is an acknowledgement of her commitment to the cause of women and children, a struggle she has fought with passion throughout her life.
But the commitment of Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba has not been limited to the borders of Guinea. In 2010, she was the only female candidate among the 24 candidates in the Guinea presidential election before joining Alpha Condé in the second round. This historic nomination marked a turning point in the representation of women in the political sphere of Guinea and inspired many other women to follow in her footsteps.
Mano River Union
Between September 2011 and 2017, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba served as Secretary-General of the Mano River Union, a regional organization comprising Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. In this key role, it has helped to strengthen cooperation between these countries and to promote the economic and social development of the region.
But his work didn't stop there. Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba is also the founder of the Women's Network of the Mano River Union for Peace (REFMAP), a key structure of civil society in West Africa. The organization contributed significantly to the resolution of several conflicts in the subregion and to the empowerment of African women, winning the United Nations Human Rights Award in 2003.
Conclusion
The journey of Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba is a true source of inspiration for all women who aspire to break glass ceilings and reach the highest spheres of power. Despite the obstacles she had to overcome because of her nature, she demonstrated unwavering determination and unfailing commitment to the cause of women and peace. Her work in REFMAP has highlighted the crucial role women can play in conflict resolution and peace promotion.
By receiving the United Nations Human Rights Prize in 2003, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba was not only rewarded for her hard work, but also paved the way for other women activists to make their voice heard on the international stage.
Today, Hadja Saran Daraba Kaba remains an emblematic figure in the struggle for gender equality and peace in the West African region. Her inspiring career demonstrates the strength of character and resilience that women need to demonstrate in order to their goals in a world still too often dominated by men.
Through pioneers like her, future generations of women will be able to continue the struggle for emancipation and empowerment, knowing that they are following in the footsteps of those who set the way.
