Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 65th Session

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février 22, 2021 to février 26, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY
Africa Regional Consultation: 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

What: African Ministers in charge of Gender and Women's Affairs will convene to consider and adopt the Common African Position on the Status of Women, to be tabled during the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN Headquarters in March 2021, in a bid to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment for African women and girls. The Ministers are meeting under the Theme: “Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

When: 26 February 2021. 11 am EAT.

Where: The Opening Session will be broadcast live on https://livestream.com/accounts/2466140/events/9544357

Who: Facilitated by the African Union Commission Directorate of Women, Gender and Youth, in collaboration with the UNECA and UN Women, the meeting will bring together Ministers responsible for Gender and Women’s Affairs in all AU Member States and their Experts. Other stakeholders present at the meeting will be the Regional Economic Communities, AU organs and Specialized Agencies, civil society organizations and among other stakeholders.
Background
The Africa Regional Consultation Ministerial meeting will be crucial to review, deliberate on and adopt the Common Africa Position (CAP) for the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) as prepared and presented by the Technical Experts that was held on the 22nd -23rd February 2021. The Ministers will deliberate and agree on modalities for CSW65 including reaching agreement on how Africa will be organized to speak with one voice at the Global CSW65 to be held in New York. At the meeting, the African Union Commission, Women, Gender and Youth Development Directorate will also launch the African Union strategy for Gender Equality and Women’ Empowerment.

The CSW remains instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Commission takes a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and challenges in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, among others. The year 2021 is a pivotal year in the world agenda of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE). The progress made by governments and all relevant actors was assessed in terms of gender equality after the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Conference and its Platform for Action and 20 years since the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security has been implemented and marked 5th Anniversary of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.

At the Africa Level, the Final Review Report on the African Women’s Decade 2010-2020 (AWD) has been developed highlighting the achievements made by AU Member States, challenges uncounted and future prospects for accelerating implementation of GEWE’s commitments. In addition, the 2021 marks the beginning of the implementation of the new African Women’s Decade (2020-2030) on Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion. These commitments provide a framework for achievement of irreversible and measurable progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment without leaving anyone behind.
For more details, visit Africa Regional Consultations
For further information please contact:
Jeanne Flora Kayitesi | Programme Officer | Women, Gender and Development Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail kayitesijf@africa-union.org