The 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union was held in Addis Abab, Ethiopia from 17 to 18 February 202. The UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, invited as a special guest by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E.Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat participated in the Summit. The ED was accompanied by the Regional Director, ESARO, Lydia Zigomo and the ED Special Assistant, Samuel Kissi. The Chief of the UNFPA Representation Office to the AU&ECA, Sat Epié and the UNFPA Country Representative for Ethiopia, Koffi Kouame and their teams jointly planned and executed the ED’s mission.
Some of the engagements of UNFPA during the Summit were as follows;
AWLN's Elders' High-Level Advocacy Meeting Dinner (Feb 16)
Promoting positive masculinities and developing the AU convention on ending violence against women and girls and emphasizing the importance of empowering women and girls, particularly in terms of their right to govern their bodies, access education, and live free from violence and harmful practices.
28th Ordinary General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) - (Feb 18)
Theme: “Educate Her and Transform Africa: Enhancing access to Health and Education for the 21st Century’s African women and girls”
UNFPA works with young people to provide age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health services and information, empowering them to make informed decisions and reducing the likelihood of harmful practices and gender-based violence. UNFPA is committed to partnering with African First Ladies to challenge harmful cultural and social norms that enable gender-based violence and promote positive masculinities. The 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) highlights the progress made in sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa, thanks to the efforts of African Member States and the advocacy of African First Ladies. The ICPD agenda aligns with Agenda 2030 and Agenda 2063, and UNFPA looks forward to engaging with the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) during the ICPD30 review process.
