THE first African woman to be honoured by the United Nations will speak at a conference in Brighton next month.

Muzvare Betty Makoni, chief executive of Girl Child Network World Wide, which champions the right of girls in a number of African nations, is the special guest at the Women Empowerment Conference in Bevendean on July 5.

It aims to encourage women to have more confidence in their abilities to achieve more and to highlight the plight of marginalised women in this country who are experiencing problems such as loneliness, domestic violence, poverty, lack of education and unemployment.

Conference organisers Women Empowerment Network also plan to launch a community inclusion group, which will visit and befriend lonely people, especially older black and Asian women who are at risk of suffering mental problems.

The Women Empowerment Conference takes place at the Holy Nativity Community Hall in Norwich Drive, Bevendean, on July 5.

For details and to book, visit bagswomenemplowerment.org.