More than twenty-five African Union CIEFFA Focal Points from more than seventeen Member States gather in Kampala, Uganda to brainstorm on ways to implement the #AfricaEducatesHer Campaign at national level during the 2nd Focal Points’ meeting holding from June 20 – 22, 2023 organised by the African Union International Center for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (African Union CIEFFA). The three days intensive training session was officially declared opened by Hon.John Chrysestom Muyingo, State Minister for Higher Education, representing H.E. Hon. Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports of Uganda on June 20, 2023.
As he opened the event, he underscored, “We have a moral responsibility and obligation as duty bearers, experts, and professionals charged with addressing the education crisis, especially utilizing a gender lens. That’s why Uganda reiterates today its commitment in advancing and championing girls’ education.”
While delivering her welcome remarks, Mrs. Simone Yankey, Ag. Coordinator of African Union CIEFFA pointed out to the focal points that “…nominated by your respective Member States, [you] play a critical and necessary role in advancing girls’ education through collaborating with African Union CIEFFA. Working on the intersections of gender equality and education, you are well equipped and placed to advance the mandate of the African Union CIEFFA which is to champion girls and women’s education in our Continent”.
This meeting provides a platform for discussing and developing innovative solutions to promote education in the context of emergencies and humanitarian contexts. This includes sharing best practices and experiences, identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, and developing a coordinated implementation plan of the #AfricaEducatesHer Campaign tailored to each African Union Member State’s specific context. Ms. Jenny Beate Møller, Counsellor for Education at the Permanent Mission of Norway to the African Union stated, “I firmly believe that the #AfricaEducatesHer Campaign … was and is timely and necessary and will continue to be.”
The opening ceremony was equally attended by Ugandan officials from the Ministries of Education and Sports and Gender, Labour, and Social Development. The end of the first day of the workshop was characterised by an extensive and in-depth presentation of the work of the Africa Union CIEFFA and the participants were better equipped with knowledge of the African Union CIEFFA Programs and mandate.
African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa
The International Centre for the Education of Girls and Women in Africa (AU/CIEFFA) is a specialized institution of the African Union since 2004, dealing with women and girls’ education following Decision Assembly/AU/DEC.44 (III). AU/CIEFFA is a specialized institution of the African Union under the Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI). The Centre aims to promote girls and women’s education with a view toward their full participation in the eradication of poverty and the edification of a peaceful world for sustainable human development. http://cieffa.au.int
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Azwe Success Barbara, Communications Officer | African Union International Center for Girls & Women’s Education in Africa | African Union Commission Tel: +226 25 37 61 55 | E-mail:BarbaraS@africa-union.org| Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube| LinkedIn
