The Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL), in collaboration with the African Union Office of the Legal Counsel (AUOLC) under the leadership of Dr. Hajer Gueldich, and the Former Chief Justice of Ethiopia, Justice Meaza Ashenafi will host a public forum and stakeholder engagement of the continent-wide strategic initiative, the Gender Equality in Law Campaign (GELC). This high-level Regional Consultative and Stakeholder Engagement will take place on Tuesday, 15th October 2024, 11 am at the African Union Old Conference Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The event will be attended by the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of various international organizations, gender-based organizations, judges, lawyers, legal academics and law students.

The Gender Equality in Law Campaign (GELC) was officially launched at a high-level convening held in Accra, Ghana, on 5th July 2024. This Pan-African initiative aims to raise awareness about the challenges women in the legal profession face by using evidence-based research, public advocacy and stakeholder engagement to ignite policy reforms for equitable and women-inclusive institutional practices and policies that support women’s career development and leadership. The campaign closely aligns with the African Union’s existing commitments to gender equality, particularly the AU Strategy for Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (2018-2028) and the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol). These legal frameworks underscore the need for institutional reforms to protect and promote the rights of women, including those in the legal profession. Gender equality in the legal profession is a shared responsibility among various institutions and organizations that uphold the rule of law. It is, therefore, imperative to join forces with these institutions in acknowledging the challenges raised and resolving them.

The event focuses on fostering dialogue and collaboration. By sharing knowledge and strategies, participants can work towards promoting gender equality and increasing the number of women leaders in the legal profession. We look forward to having stakeholders and advocates for gender equality in the legal profession join us at this crucial gathering. Collectively, we can push for tangible change to create a more gender-inclusive legal environment.

For further information, please contact:

1. Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division | Information and Communications Directorate, AUC, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | E-mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org, Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)
2. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
3. The Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL) at info@africanwomeninlaw.com