Chairperson of the Expert Group of the STC on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Commissioner Dr. Angela Nakafeero,

Distinguished African Experts in charge of Gender and Women’s Affairs who are here with us today,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning and welcome to the Experts Meeting of the 8^th Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE). This is a platform through which we take stock and deliberate on progress and achievements made towards the gender agenda, including ensuring that commitments made by Member States are followed up and implemented to ensure the enjoyment of full rights and benefits for all African women and girls.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

The year 2023 marks important milestones in the continental and global calendar for gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights. At the continental level, these include the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa popularly known as the Maputo Protocol on the 11^th of July; the African continent celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and its successor, the African Union on the 25^th of May; and this year saw the end of the first Ten Year Implementation Plan for Agenda 2063 (2013-2023). Globally, 2023 commemorates 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), whose core ambition has been to infuse societies with equality, fundamental freedoms and justice.

In addition, the AU gender architecture, informed by the Maputo Protocol among other global and continental instruments, is strengthened by several instruments and frameworks, such as the AfCFTA, whose main aim is to meet the aspirations of Agenda 2063 for a continental market with the free movement of persons, capital, goods and services, which are crucial for deepening economic integration, and promoting agricultural development, food security, industrialisation and structural economic transformation. The importance attached to this issue is evidenced by the AU 2023 theme on “Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation”.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

During the course of the meeting, you will hear presentations on the work undertaken by the African Union Commission, in particular the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate and partners to drive gender equality and women’s empowerment forward.

In this meeting you will receive an update on the 2022 AU Member States Reports of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA), the AUC Chairperson’s Report and the Women, Peace and Security Report. One of our core objectives this year has been to strengthen GEWE monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems to collect qualitative and quantitative evidence on the impact of policies and financing at both regional and national level; the reach and effectiveness of partnerships that bring together individuals and organizations with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives, and resources to addresses shared challenges and to advance gender equality as well as the impact or our collective actions on African women and girls.

During this meeting, we will present an array of programming and policy work for your due consideration. Work ranging from the High-Level Presidential Initiative on Positive Masculinity to End Violence Against Women and Girls, to our work on the AU Women and Youth Financial Mechanisms which include the Fund for African Women (FAW) and the Trust Fund for African Women (TFAW). This meeting is also being held back-to-back with the Africa Pre-Consultations for the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (Africa Pre-CSW68), where together we will develop a Common Africa Position (CAP) on the Priority theme: Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

These are just a few of the issues we will discuss today, and I will not spend too much time on them as we will go into substantive conversations. However, it is important to add that this is an action-orientated meeting. One that we all hope will result in proceeding with a shared vision, decisions on innovative tools and methodologies, and renewed hope that our efforts are not in vain, and that as a continent we can move forward on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

As we highlight our gains and successes in this meeting, we should also hold each other accountable for areas in which more work is required and I strongly implore this convening of technical experts to be one where we leave no stone unturned in ensuring that each African Union Member State, including us at the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate are fulfilling our duties, roles and obligations with high regard.

In Closing,

I wish all of us fruitful and successful deliberations over the next few days, as you receive and consider the various presentations on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and I encourage all experts to make a contribution that will advance the gains and achievements of all of our gender instruments. May we come out of this meeting with a solid draft report that will be adopted and embraced by our African Ministers in charge of Gender and Women’s Affairs.

I Thank You