Africa and Europe put women's empowerment and gender equality at the top of their agenda

AU Chair President Kagame and EU Commissioner Mimica co-hosted the joint African Union – European Union “Women in Power” side-event at the 31st African Union Summit in Mauritania. Moussa Faki, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, also attended the event.

The purpose of the event was to hold a high-level dialogue between Africa and Europe on the role of women as key drivers of political, social and economic development, and to deepen existing commitments in this area.
Several other high-level AU and EU representatives, Heads of State, and representatives of international organisations attended the event. Among them: HE Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, HE Inonge Mutukwa Wina, Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, HE Amina Mohammed, United Nations Deputy Secretary General, HE Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Arab Republic of Egypt, HE Monica Juma, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, HE Naha Mint Hamdi Ould Mouknass, Minister of Social Affairs, Childhood and Family of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
Six months after the AU-EU Abidjan Summit, this joint event is another signal of the strong partnership that unites both continents. The AU and EU will continue joining forces to accelerate efforts to support gender equality and women’s empowerment — which are fundamental to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals.
For President Kagame, "Women can deliver more when they are enjoying their full rights. But with men and women working together using their talents to the maximum the effect is not just additive, it multiplies. All of society benefits. The sum is indeed much greater than the parts."
"Together, with our African partners, we want to shine a spotlight on women and girls everywhere – bringing to light their power, creativity and enormous potential. Through this partnership, we want to scale up our actions and impact, with both the public and private sectors, and to make a real and positive difference in the lives of millions of women and girls. This is vital for our common future, for sustainable development and for ensuring we leave no one behind!", said Neven Mimica.

Contacts:

EU
● Carlos MARTIN RUIZ DE GORDEJUELA: (+3222965322) Carlos.Martin@ec.europa.eu
● Christina WUNDER: (+3222992256) Christina.Wunder@ec.europa.eu

General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00800 6789 1011 or by email
(http://europa.eu/contact/write-to-us/index_en.htm)

AU
Adoumtar NOUBATOUR, Women, Gender and Development Directorate | African Union Commission | Mobile (Mauritania): + 222 (0) 321 436 49, Mobile (Ethiopia) and Whatsapp: +251 (0)92 918 61 89 | adoumtarn@africa-union.org

Esther AZAA TANKOU, Head of Information Division | African Union Commission | (+251 (0)911 36 11 85) | yamboue@africa-union.org
Molalet TSEDEKE, Media Centre Coordinator | Mobile (Mauritania): +222 (0) 48147419

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I DIC@africaunion.org | http://www.au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia