Rainatou Sow, a visionary leader from Fria, Guinea, has dedicated her life to advancing the rights of women and girls globally. As the executive director of Make Every Woman Count (MEWC), a pioneering African-led organization, she has made significant strides in monitoring African states’ progress toward gender equality and holding them accountable to their commitments on women’s rights.
From an early age, Rainatou exhibited an extraordinary commitment to education and equality, teaching evening classes to girls at just 12 years old. Her passion for justice led her to earn advanced degrees in international law and international relations from Kofi Annan University of Guinea and London Metropolitan University.
Rainatou’s journey includes key roles in renowned organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, where she contributed to human rights and gender equity initiatives. However, her founding of MEWC in 2011 marked a transformative milestone. Through this platform, she has united women across Africa, America, and Europe to advocate for systemic change, empower women, and amplify their voices on the global stage.
Her work extends to implementing groundbreaking frameworks like United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, emphasizing the critical role of women in peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery. Under her leadership, MEWC has become a global movement, addressing challenges and bridging gaps in women’s rights advocacy.
Rainatou’s relentless efforts have earned her widespread recognition, including being named one of the World’s 100 Most Inspiring Women by Salt Magazine and receiving prestigious awards such as the Pan African Humanitarian Award on Gender Equality and Advocacy in 2016 and the “Change Maker” Award by the African Achievers Awards in 2017.
