Dakar, Senegal – October 20, 2025 — The African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA), has convened a strategic workshop to advance advocacy for girls’ education and the eradication of child marriage across the continent with the Pan African Parliament (PAP) and the Secretariat of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Held from October 20–21, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal, the workshop is themed: “Pan-African Parliamentarians, Traditional Leaders, and OAFLAD as Advocates for Promoting Girls’ Education and Ending Child Marriage in Africa.”
The gathering brings together Members of Parliament from over 15 AU Member States, representing the Committees on Education, Culture, Tourism & Human Resources, and the Committee on Gender, Family, Youth and People with Disabilities. The workshop serves as a platform to co-create actionable strategies and policy frameworks that promote gender-responsive education systems and budgeting.
Opening the event, Ms. Anna Sow, Coordinator of the Gender and Equity Unit and representative of the Senegalese Minister of National Education, reaffirmed Senegal’s commitment to inclusive education. “On behalf of the Minister of National Education, I reaffirm the Government of Senegal’s dedication to working alongside the African Union, CIEFFA, and our partners to build an African school where every girl can learn, succeed, and flourish,” she stated.
Over the two-day workshop, participants will explore innovative approaches to mobilize political will and strengthen the implementation of the #AfricaEducatesHer Campaign. Mrs. Yankey Simone, Coordinator of AU CIEFFA, emphasised the critical role of parliamentarians and First Ladies: “Your role is pivotal. As custodians of legislative and budgetary authority, you hold the power to position girls’ education at the core of national policy. You can transform our shared commitments into actionable laws and sustainable funding.”
Hon. Welcome Dlamini, speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism & Human Resources, echoed this sentiment, “the Pan African Parliament has consistently advocated for stronger laws, policies, and oversight mechanisms to protect children and promote inclusive education systems. We have both the moral and legislative responsibility to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential.”
Dr. Nardos Berhanu, Executive Secretary of OAFLAD, and Dr Maxime Houinato, UN Women Regional Director for West Africa, also called for intensified efforts to challenge harmful practices and promote girls’ and women’s education across Africa.
The workshop is supported by the East Africa Girls’ Empowerment and Resilience (EAGER) Program, a transformative initiative of the World Bank Group aimed at economically empowering girls and young women. The UN Women Regional Office for West Africa provided additional financial and technical support.
