Pan African Conference on Girls and Women’s Education Held in Addis Ababa
The first-ever Pan African Conference on Girls and Women’s Education took place in Addis Ababa from July 2-5, 2024. Organized by the Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) Department of the African Union Commission (AUC) through the African Union International Center for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (African Union CIEFFA), the conference welcomed over 600 in-person participants and nearly 300 online attendees.
Promoting Inclusive, Quality Education
The four-day conference, themed “Prioritizing Girls and Women’s Education: A Strategy for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” aligned with the AU’s yearly focus on education. Attendees included over 30 government delegations, UN agencies, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, youth, and civil society organizations working in education, gender, and social welfare.
Keynote Speakers and Insights
Antara Ganguli, Director of the UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), emphasized the need to address the root causes of girls’ educational challenges. “Just getting girls into school is not enough,” she stated, highlighting the importance of changing societal beliefs about the roles of girls and women.
H.E. Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zingas, State Minister of Education for the Central African Republic, and H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, stressed the necessity of girls’ education for economic and social progress.
Focus on Gender-Responsive Policies
Day one of the conference focused on gender-responsive education policies, featuring the 8th High-level Dialogue on Gender Equality in Education. Delegates discussed the state of education policies in their countries and presented the draft Report on the Status of Girls’ Education in Africa.
Addressing Barriers to Education
Day two addressed challenges like female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, and early marriages. Angela Martins, Acting Director of Social Development, Culture, and Sport at the AUC, highlighted the intersection of these issues with girls’ education. Julie Mwabe of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) stressed the impact of conflict and security crises on girls’ education.
Youth Engagement and Future Steps
Day three centered on youth participation, with young leaders showcasing initiatives promoting girls’ education. Prof. Saïdou Madougou, Director of ESTI, emphasized the need to include youth voices in shaping Africa’s educational landscape.
Call to Action
The conference concluded with a strong call to action, endorsed by all stakeholders, including 35 AU Member States, 6 AU organs and AUC departments, 7 UN agencies, 5 development partners, and 17 civil society organizations. H.E. Prof Mohammed Belhocine, ESTI’s Commissioner, declared the event a significant milestone in implementing the AU’s education roadmap.
For more details, visit African Union CIEFFA.
Image Credit: CIEFFA
