African Union Gender Equality and Women’s empowerment strategy guarantees the future of young Africans
The Pan African Women’s Organisation (PAWO) has lauded the African Union’s strategy on Gender Equality and Women Empowerment Strategy 2018- 2028. This transformational instrument aims to eliminate the major constraints hindering gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Aligned to AU Agenda 2063 this agenda will generate momentum in ensuring gender equality by getting organs of the African Union and its partners to implement the recommendations.
Moreover, the policy recognizes that violence against women and related harmful traditional practices are symptomatic of the accepted social norms in many countries and communities.
The spectrum of violence affecting women across Africa includes domestic violence, rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), intimidation and additional threats to women’s personal security in periods of war and conflict.
Such violence is exacerbated in conditions of conflict. Human security and bodily integrity for women is critical for the attainment of gender equality.
Pinky Kekana, the Secretary General of The Pan African Women’s Organisation, as well as South Africa’s Communications Deputy Minister, said “We believe that the strategy is a comprehensive articulation of the AU Agenda 2063 Goal 6 which seeks to ensure that we have an Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by African people; especially its women and youth and caring for children.”
Women must form part of the mainstream workforce in transitioning Africa to take advantage of the 4th Industrial Revolution.
The adoption of the strategy took place during the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women which attracts over 10 000 delegates from all 193 Members States of the United Nations in New York.
Pinky Kekana, added, “As the Pan African Women’s Organisation, we understand that strategy can only be a successful strategy if it is inclusive, and speaks to people with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community.”
“In the final analysis what we know for sure is that this document lays down the path to gender equality and women empowerment for future generations, this important because, the future is African, Black and Young,” concluded Secretary General Pinky Kekana.
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