The 8 women were:

Wangari Maathi, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, whose project to plant 30 million trees has also earned the women planters enough cash to set up 43k small businesses.

Graca Machel, wife of Nelson Mandela and former Minister in Mozambique who cut illiteracy by 22% in 5 years.

Lornah Kiplagat, Kenya’s world record breaking long distance runner who had no support and now ploughs winnings into her High Altitude Training Centre for women.

Hauwa Ibrahim, who secured the release of Amina Lawal, sentenced to death by stoning for adultery.

Alivera Kiiza, who helped persuade her coffee co-operative in Tanzania to let women farmers own trees so they can become full co-operative members.

Winnie Byanyima, an outspoken women’s rights campaigner who encouraged Uganda’s policy of openness about HIV/AIDs but is now critical of President Museveni’s leadership.

Anna Tibaijuka, head of the UN Habitat Agency and Africa Commissioner who warns of the flight to cities created by starvation and crop failure in Africa.

Grace Githigia, ‘Africawoman’ writer and world Association of Community Broadcasters leader who’s helped set up more than a 100 stations with 250 million listeners on a continent where 70% of women are illiterate and state radio is often government controlled.

An Indymedia volunteer briefly spoke with two women.

Winnie Byanyima; ‘Corruption is not only an African problem, it’s a global problem. Secondly, the 21st Century is in need of resources. Also, the problems must be tackled from many angles. There are not many strong structures that are effective. What is being created is an elite hierarchy. Africa needs to reform its system.’

Gloria Essian from Nigeria; ‘Traditional attitudes are changing as women and girls are challenging the status quo of man and join the male dominated professions. A woman is part of the estate of the man. From birth to death women are expected to stay at home and look after it. This is changing and women are becoming empowered.’

‘Africawomen’ was organised as part of a range of events organised by Edinburgh council to take a closer look at the issues of debt, poverty, trade, women’s right, sustainability and others in the run up to and during the G8 summit in Scotland, 6th – 8th July.