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Facebook has announced the launch of a collection of inspiring stories and important life lessons from 19 African women. The book, titled "LeadHERs: Life Lessons from African Women," was launched on Wednesday as part of the commemoration of Women's History Month and the International Women’s Day (IWD) by the social media giant.

Women's History Month is celebrated during the month of March in some selected countries like the United States, while the IWD is a global celebration, which takes place on March 8. The theme for this year’s IWD is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world.”

In a statement released today, Facebook said the 19 women featured in the book are breaking boundaries in various fields such as media, entertainment, politics, education and business. Two Nigerian entrepreneurs, Temie Giwa-Tubosun and Tara Fela-Durotoye, are featured in the book. Giwa-Tubosun is an award-winning entrepreneur and CEO of LifeBank Nigeria, a health-tech startup mobilising blood donation. Fela-Durotoye is CEO of House of Tara and pioneer in the Nigerian beauty and makeup industry.

Facebook said the book provides inspirational real-life stories of the selected African women for young leaders and future generations on the continent. Each chapter focuses on the individual experience of one of the women, including how she has navigated her path to success despite challenges that were overcome along the way. The aim of the book, available for free in digital and print, is to encourage, inspire and guide the readers – no matter the background, age or ambition.

“At Facebook we know that African women are at the helm of shaping the future of our promising continent – they are changemakers, mothers and CEOs,” said Nunu Ntshingila, Regional Director at Facebook Africa. “This book is a celebration of just some of the exceptional African women who in their own right are trail-blazers, motivating and inspiring people and advocating for good across Africa, and the world.”

Other women featured in the book are Elizabeth Akua Ohene, a Ghanaian journalist and politician; and Alice Nkom, Cameroonian lawyer and human rights activist. Others are Tecla Chemabwai, athlete and educator, and Yvonne Okwara, journalist and news anchor, both from Kenya; South African entrepreneurs, Baratang Miya and Judy Dlamini; Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, global activist from Chad; Hawa Sally Samai, Sierra Leonean entrepreneur; and Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, an Ethiopian businesswoman.

The book also features two Zambian women, Lelemba Phiri, an entrepreneur, investor and educator, and Monica Musonda, a lawyer and businesswoman; Tanzanian musician and media personality, Vanessa Hau Mdee; Liberian social entrepreneur, Saran Kaba Jones; Senegalese screenwriter, Kalista Sy; Congolese model, Noella Coursaris Musunka; Zimbabwean media personality, Samantha ‘MisRed’ Musa; and Nigerien doctor, Djamila Ferdjani.

The book, LeadHERs: Life Lessons from African Women, includes illustrations by Nigerian digital illustrator and animator, Awele Emili, and three other female illustrators and artists on the continent – Massira Keita from Côte d'Ivoire, Lulu Kitololo from Kenya, and Karabo Poppy from South Africa.

Over 5,000 copies of the print edition of the book will be provided for free to a number of Facebook’s local training partners, including She Leads Africa, Fate Foundation, Digify Africa, Siyafunda CTC, Smart Ecosystems for Women (SEW) and Co-creation Hub (CcHUB). Apart from the social network’s training partners, the copies will also be distributed in schools across 15 countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Senegal.