Activist Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur Encourages Women To Believe In Themselves

Tanzanian diplomat Joyce Kafanabo, left, is shown with Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur, chief of staff and chief communications officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Kafanabo, a friend of Abdul-Ghafur, died of COVID-19 in February. On Monday’s “Closer Look,” Abdul-Ghafur discussed several topics, including how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting millions of women worldwide.

Courtesy of Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur

An Atlanta-based global activist, author and policy advocate says the best advice she’s given and continues to give to women and girls is to trust and believe in themselves.

“If we limit the external interruptions and external input, we actually do quite well,” said Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur, chief of staff and chief communications officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

A guest on Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,”Abdul-Ghafur’s words go hand-in-hand with the International Women’s Day 2021 theme #ChooseToChallenge.



During Abdul-Ghafur’s virtual conversation with show host Rose Scott, she discussed several topics, including the achievements of women and girls in the United States and abroad.

Abdul-Ghafur also explained how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting millions of women worldwide and shared details about a virtual program hosted by the International Women’s Forum of Georgia aimed at celebrating women.

 

Former President of Tanzania Jakarta Mrisho and Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur. (Courtesy of Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur)
Former President of Tanzania Jakarta Mrisho, left, and Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur. (Courtesy of Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur)