African Union gender pre-summit convenes in January

As the African year of human rights and particularly women’s rights, 2016 will start with the 8th African Union Gender Pre-Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 17 to Jan. 21 courtesy of several allied organizations advocating for women’s rights.

Under the general leadership of Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AUC president and chairperson, the event is coordinated by the African Union (AU) Commission Directorate of Women, Gender and Development; the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC); and AU partners.

Featured sessions include a GIMAC Civil Society meeting, ministerial sessions, specialized technical committees and several government commissions and forums.

Among other important milestones, 2016 marks the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which was drafted in 1986, and the midpoint of the African Women’s Decade (2010-2020).

Despite widespread global action to promote gender equality, African women and girls still face formidable challenges in multiple areas, including limited access to public life, politics, negotiation and education as well as continued harmful traditional cultural practices.

Both overall and specific objectives are on the agenda: to unite voices in the campaign for women’s empowerment, identify and advocate for future action, develop strategies for enacting progress and encourage dialogue among all entities.

Additionally, stakeholders hope to assess migration trends, engage policymakers and activists and support opportunities for STEM and related careers.

Media coverage is encouraged, and summit outcomes will be presented to AU heads of state and government.