WHAT: Inter-Generational Virtual Couch-Talk, Theme: “African Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”

When:  Thursday, 25^th March,

TIME: 15.00hrs - 16.30hrs (GMT +3)

Who: African Union through the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate

Zoom Link: http://bit.ly/IGDTalk

Key speakers

• H.E Dr Monique Nsanzabaganwa the AUC Deputy Chairperson,
• H.E Amira Elfadil the Commissioner of Health, Humanitarian and Social Development,
• H.E Prof Sarah Anyang Agbor the Commissioner of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation,
• Dr Gumbonzvanda Nyaradzai the AUC Goodwill Ambassador on Ending Child Marriage, 

The young women on the panel are;

• Ms Petrider Paul, AUC Youth Advisory Council
• Ms Karen Ondawasi, Chairperson of the GIMAC Young Women Network and,
• Ms. Anne Mugo a youth advocate in the AUC-UNICEF End Child Marriage Campaign

Background:

Through personal life experience, professional perspectives and observational commentary, the panelists of this Intergenerational Virtual Couch Talk will dialogue on progress made and what needs to be done to achieve an equal future, as the world navigates the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. The speakers, through facts, dialogue and anecdotes, will kick-start a conversation on what being a woman in leadership means in Africa, playing extraordinary roles in communities, the key issues which we must collectively tackle for a bright future, and how to mobilize and spark positive, lasting change towards gender equality.

This virtual couch talk will facilitate an intergenerational conversation between high-level women leaders and young African women. It is a part of the African Union Commission’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, and builds on an ongoing youth and gender advocacy campaign called “Reimagining an Africa Without Child Marriage”, in partnership with UNICEF.

The specific objectives and key discussion themes of the intergenerational dialogue

1. Explore and discuss the role of women in leadership by providing perspectives, obstacles, strategies to increase women’s participation, as well as mentorship strategies to bridge the intergenerational divide;
2. Dialogue on the thematic area of ending child marriage and what an African future without child marriage looks like including defining how we get there,
3. Mobilise commitment on the role of women in Africa’s COVID-19 recovery era, and how to increase protection of women and girls against the shadow pandemic of GBV and child marriage.

Media Contacts:

Ms. Nontobeko Tshabalala, AUC Youth Division Communications Lead, via E-mail: NontobekoT@africa-union.org

Ms. Nyandoh Padfor, AUC Youth Division Communications Officer, via E-mail: TadforN@africa-union.org

Mr Derrick Ochuot, UNICEF Office to the AU and ECA Communications Officer, via E-mail: dochuot@unicef.org