Year of the Woman: African Women’s Decade Year Two

BET.com looks at some of Africa’s most formidable women.

President Joyce Banda - As Forbes reports, President Joyce Banda — Malawi’s first female president and the continent’s second — has helped to remove monetary suspensions from Western supporters to Malawi and revived cash injections from the IMF. However, the controversial leader has also faced a number of financial and corruption scandals during her time in office. (Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

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Joyce Banda - As the second year of the African Union’s African Women’s Decade comes to a close, BET.com looks at some of Africa’s most formidable women. — Naeesa AzizMalawi president Joyce Banda stepped up to the helm of her country after the sudden death of former President Bingu wa Mutharika in April and has already made her mark; successfully freezing the country’s anti-gay legislation.(Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

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Leymah Gbowee - The Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner has continued her work in building peace through empowering women.   (Photo: REUTERS/Shannon Stapleto)

Lindiwe Mazibuko - The 32-year-old South African opposition leader has been unafraid to buck tradition and speak her mind about the country’s political state. (Photo: Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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Lindiwe Mazibuko - The 32-year-old South African opposition leader has been unafraid to buck tradition and speak her mind about the country’s political state. (Photo: Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - As Africa’s first democratically elected female head of state, Liberian President Sirleaf continues to steer her country toward prosperity and stability. (Photo: Leon Neal - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf - As Africa’s first democratically elected female head of state, Liberian President Sirleaf continues to steer her country toward prosperity and stability. (Photo: Leon Neal - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

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Ory Okolloh - The Kenyan activist, lawyer and blogger works as Google’s policy manager for Africa. (Photo: Brian Harkin/Getty Images)

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala - The Nigerian Finance Minister was considered for a top post at the World Bank earlier this year and has taken a bold stance against corruption in her country. (Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/ REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Serkalem Fasil - The Ethiopian journalist continues to work in the face of government repression and in the midst of her husband Eskinder Nega’s detention (Photo: AP)

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Serkalem Fasil - The Ethiopian journalist continues to work in the face of government repression and in the midst of her husband Eskinder Nega’s detention (Photo: AP)

Photo By Photo: AP

Juliet Ehimuan - Ehimuan is Country Manager for Google Nigeria. (Photo: Juliet Ehimuan/Facebook)

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Juliet Ehimuan - Ehimuan is Country Manager for Google Nigeria. (Photo: Juliet Ehimuan/Facebook)

Photo By Photo: Juliet Ehimuan/Facebook

African Union Names First Female Chair - The African Union named South African diplomat and doctor Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma the first female head of the African Union Commission. Dlamini-Zuma, 63, beat out incumbent Jean Ping of Gabon.  (Photo: REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri)

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Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma - Dlamini-Zuma recently became the first female Chairperson of the African Union, adding to her long resume as a South African politician and anti-apartheid activist.(Photo: REUTERS/Tiksa Neger)

Fatou Bensouda - The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court hails from the West African nation of Gambia and is the first African to hold the post.(Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

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Fatou Bensouda - The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court hails from the West African nation of Gambia and is the first African to hold the post.(Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ian Gavan/Getty Images