Events
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October 13, 2015
PRESS RELEASE Nº 275/2015
West and Central Africa Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Ending Child Marriage and other Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa,ends in Abuja, Nigeria.
Abuja, Nigeria, 09 October 2015–A five-day capacity building workshop for African Union Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Civil Society Organizations from West and Central Africa and focusing on ending child marriages and other harmful traditional practices ended today in Abuja, Nigeria.
The workshop which held at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja was organised by the African Union Commission and UNICEF under theme; "Ending Child Marriage and Other Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa - Mechanisms and Strategies". Other facilitators were drawn from UNFPA, the Inter-African Committee, the African Child Policy Forum and Girls not Brides.
The workshop focused on providing an understanding of child marriage and other harmful traditional practices within the broad framework of social development linking it to the key goals and outcomes of the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa, AU’s Agenda 2063 and the sustainable development goals. More specifically, it provided a holistic view of harmful traditional practices programme (HTP), explicitly evidence based design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.
On behalf of the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Ezekiel Oyemomi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women affirmed the urgency and need for all stakeholders to join forces in ending all harmful practices affecting girls, women and hindering the development of Africa. He emphasized that most girls forced into marriages are coerced and their consent are not sought.
Dr BolanleAdetoun, the Principal Programme Officer - Gender at the ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, in her welcome address noted that practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriages primarily stem from illiteracy and poverty and all must work together to eradicate them. She pointed out that this training was timely for child protection in the region and that the ECOWAS is at the forefront of this human rights and developmental issue. She reiterated the commission’s commitment to the intervention for victims of child marriage by way of scholarships, capital to create economic value and education about gender equality and women rights amongst others.
The UNICEF Representative for Nigeria, Ms Jean Gough affirmed Africa's leadership role in setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years in 1990 in the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, noting that this was a standard that the UN Member States, just one year before, had failed to agree on when negotiating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. "Africa therefore led the way in setting the standard for ending child marriage". Ms Gough closed the workshop by charging all participants to translate the learning into action and work collectively in ending all forms of violence against children.
Speaking on the essence of the workshop, the African Union Commission Director for Social Affairs, Ambassador Olawale Maiyegun stated that a key component of the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa is to enhance the capacity of Member States Experts, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in dealing with the harmful practice of child marriage, thus making them suitable or better equipped to design and manage development plans in which social and economic policies and strategies are fully interfaced to deliver the kinds of transformative outcomes desired in ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices affecting children in Africa.
Child Marriage has negative effects on the girl, her family, the nation and the whole world and large. These girls are also exposed to a number of health disadvantages such as the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS, the risk of cervical cancer, pregnancy and child bearing complications and even death. These and other effects as well as how to better work towards ending them is what the series of regional based workshops seeks to address.
About the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa
The campaign was launched at the continental level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29 May 2014, during the Conference of Ministers of Social Development. It aims at ending child marriage by: (i) supporting legal and policy actions in the protection and promotion of human rights, (ii) mobilizing continental awareness of the negative socio-economic impact of child marriage, (iii) building social movement and social mobilization at the grassroots and national levels; and (iv) increasing the capacity of non-state actors to undertake evidence based policy advocacy including the role of youth leadership through new media technology, monitoring and evaluation among others.
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Media contact
Ms. Nena Thundu; THUNDUN@africa-union.org
Mr. Kenneth Oliko; Kennetho@africa-union.org
www.pages.au.int/cecm| www.facebook.com/OurGirlsAfrika| www.twitter.com/ourgirlsau
For further information, please contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.intAddis Ababa | Ethiopia
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October 05, 2015
Ambassadors briefed on Africa’s health policy direction Pledge to support the 2016 Global Fund Replenishment efforts
Washington, D.C., October 5, 2015 – African Union Ambassadors meeting Friday were briefed on the progress in the implementation of AU health policy frameworks that are due to expire at the end of December and the next steps in achieving universal health access. The meeting comes in less than a week after world leaders meeting in New York adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that supersede the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The ambitious goals will address the unfinished business of health related MDGs and lay a solid foundation to put the world on a path to sustainable development and end poverty within an ambitious 15 years’ timeframe.
“Sustaining health and education gains is key in our collective efforts to achieve the new Sustainable Development Goals” said H.E. Daouda Diabate, Ambassador of the Republic of Cote D’Ivoire to the United States of America.
Goal three of the SDGs seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages. Ending the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030 is one of the key priorities of the SDGs.
“The international community has made remarkable progress since 2000 to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, and tens of millions of lives have been saved. However the global community needs to continue to invest in lifesaving health programmes,” said President of the Friends of the Global Fund US, Deb Derrick. “Countries should remain committed to growing domestic health budgets in a time of limited international development resources,” she added.
African Union Ambassadors pledged to advocate for the current efforts to have a fully funded Global Fund in the 2016 replenishment cycle. Close to 70% of the Global Fund resources support programmes in Africa. The AU representatives were briefed on the ongoing review of the Abuja Call and the AU Roadmap highlighting the critical milestones, remaining challenges and emerging issues in addressing health on the continent.
In less than a decade access to HIV treatment in Africa increased more than 100-fold. Approximately 10 million people are now on treatment. New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in Africa south of the Sahara declined by 33% and 30% respectively. Malaria incidence was reduced by 31% in Africa. An estimated 337 million malaria cases and 3 million deaths were averted in Africa. Malaria mortality rates have declined by 54% overall and by 58% among children. Africa’s TB treatment success rate reached 86% in 2013. In 2013 the case detection rate had slightly improved at 52%. Africa outpaced other regions in determining the HIV status of all people with TB.
However Africa still confronts the world’s most acute public health threats. AIDS remains a leading cause of death in Africa, killing 1.1 million people on the continent in 2013, with an estimated 1.5 million new HIV infections. An African child still dies almost every minute from malaria. The TB response will need to reach about 1.3 million people in Africa.
The meeting also provided a briefing on the recent Ebola pandemic that has brought to the fore the need for improved surveillance, international coordination and response, as well as the consequences of poorly- resourced national health systems. The African Union Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) deployed the biggest contingent of medical and public health experts (855) from 18 countries on the continent. To be better prepared for epidemics in the future the January 2015, 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU in Addis Ababa endorsed the establishment of the Africa CDC. The Africa CDC will serve as a specialised technical institution of the African Union with a vision for a safer, healthier, integrated and prosperous Africa in which Member States can prevent disease, detect, and respond together to crises of public health importance. The Africa CDC will establish early warning and response surveillance platforms to address in a timely and effective manner all health emergencies and support public health emergency preparedness and response.
About the African Union:
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/.
About AIDS Watch Africa:
Created at the Abuja 2001 Special Summit, AWA is an Africa-led instrument to stimulate leaders into action and mobilize the resources needed to address AIDS, TB and Malaria in an effective, sustainable and accountable manner. Learn more at www.aidswatchafrica.org
About Friends of the Global Fight:
Friends of the Global Fight works to end the worldwide burden of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We educate, engage and mobilize U.S. decision makers to support the Global Fund, the world’s largest public health financier. Learn more at www.theglobalfight.org.
About the Global Fund:
The Global Fund is a 21st-century partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. Founded in 2002, the Global Fund is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and people affected by the diseases. The Global Fund raises and invests nearly $4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in countries and communities most in need. Learn more at www.theglobalfund.org/en.
For further information contact:
Tawanda Chisango, AIDS WATCH AFRICA (AWA) Program Advocacy & Partnership Expert | Social Affairs Department | African Union Commission |Tel: Ext. 2029 | Fax: | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org |
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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.intAddis Ababa | Ethiopia
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September 16, 2015 to September 18, 2015
16-18 September 2015: Meeting of Regional Economic Communities in Preparation for the Africa-EU Summit on Migration, Accra, Ghana
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September 10, 2015
JOINT PRESS RELEASE
The African Union and HelpAge urge member states to promote the rights of older people in AfricaAddis Ababa,10 September 2015:The African Union Commission (AUC) and HelpAge International have urged African Union Member States to develop and implement policies that protect the rights of older people in Africa.This was during a roundtable meeting on the Role of older persons in achieving Africa’s agenda 2063which took placetoday 10 September 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the members of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and other key stakeholders.
The Chairperson of the PRC, H.E Albert RanganaiChimbindi, reiterated the willingness of the African Union to guarantee that the developmental approach of the Africa’s Agenda 2063 is inclusive. He recognised that older people are the custodians of the African culture and therefore, deserve that Africa creates conditions for their contribution to the achievement of the objectives of Agenda 2063. He also highlighted that to address the issue of older people in Africa is also a window of opportunity for the continent to better plan the future of the younger generation.
The Director of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission Ambassador OlawaleMaiyegun informed member states that the population of older people in Africa is increasing drastically and therefore there is an urgent need to ensure that specific measures are in place to address the needs of older people.Ambassador Maiyegunsaid that although the African Union is making efforts to address ageing issues by setting up frameworks and legal instruments including the AU Policy Framework on Plan of Action on Ageing (AUPFAA), the Africa’s Agenda 2063, the African Common Position on Post 2015 sustainable development (AU, 2014) and the recently approved Protocol on the Rights of Older People; more needs to be done to implement these instruments at the national levels. He also called upon the PRC representatives to encourage their respective States to manage proactively the adoption and ratification process of the approved Protocol.
Thecall to African governments in Addis Ababa follows the release of Global AgeWatch Index 2015 report by HelpAge International whose main aim is to raise visibility of ageing at regional and national levels as well as provide a framework for governments and institutions to respond to ageing population and the UN Secretary General call for Data Revolution.
The Global AgeWatch Index 2015 notes that older women and men in Africa experience economic and social hardships with the majority unable to access basic services. It reviews 13 different indicators for the four key domains of Income security, Health status, Capability, and Enabling environment. Due to lack of relevant data, only 11 African countries are included in the Global Age Watch Index out of the total 93.
The countries are Ghana, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and United Republic of Tanzania.
“The big story this year in the Index, is that millions of older people are invisible, living their lives in countries where information on the quality of older age is missing from international data sets,” said Toby Porter, Chief Executive of HelpAge International. He added that poverty rates in old age are missing from international data sets in at least 93 countries. “It’s particularly shocking in Africa where there was only enough data available to include 11 out of 54 countries,” he said.According to Dr Prafulla Mishra, Regional Director, HelpAge International, East, West and Central Africa, there is increased recognition of the ageing population and the challenge it poses for the inclusive and sustainable development in Africa. He welcomed the approved Protocol on the Rights of older people andurged the African Union to make use of the Global AgeWatch Index as yet another important tool to use to generate data and plan for older persons.
Mr.Sola Mahoney, HelpAge International Trustee emphasisedthat older men and women of Africa continue to live miserable lives of poverty and lack basic human rights needs including access to a secure income, shelter and food. Without a well-established social security strategy, older people’s right to live dignified lives will be impossible to achieve. “Older people play a critical role in many aspects of Africa’s economic and social development”, notedMr.Sola.
Furthermore, Mr.Sola challenged governments to put systems in place that facilitate inter-generational exchange of knowledge and skills and for the two generations to work together and realize Agenda 2063. “We need to be careful that we should not focus all our efforts in taking care of the youth at the expense of the other generations. We should strive to ensure that we leave no one behind,” Sola said.
The roundtable took place in the context of the implementation of the Agenda 2063 aiming to eradicate poverty in one generation and build shared prosperity through social and economic transformation of the Continent. The first of the seven aspirations of the new continental development framework calls for “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development”. More specifically,it intends, among others,to provide social security and protection for older persons on the continent.
###Notes to the Editors
• The African population is expected to rise drastically from about 1.1billion in 2013 to at least 2.4 billion in 2030 (UNDESA, 2013), making Africa the world’s continent with highest population growth and characterized by high numbers of youth.
• In 2014, about 40 per cent of the population was under 15, and nearly 70 per cent was under 30. Similarly, the increase of the number of older people will also be experienced.
• Currently Africa has approximately 60 million people aged 60 years and above; by 2030, there will be 103 million older women and men in Africa.
• In Sub Saharan Africa, the population of older people is projected to increase four folds from 36.6 to 141 million between 2005 and 2050 . Similar to other developing countries, the majority of the older people in Africa will be living in rural areas and older women will outnumber men by virtue of their longer life expectancy.
• The African Union Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Social development, labour and employment recently adopted the Africa Protocol on the Rights of Older people. The Protocol is expected to be adopted by African Heads of States in January 2016.
For more information contact:
NenaThundu Policy Officer,Social Affairs Department, African Union Commission, Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00, Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44, E-mail: THUNDUN@africa-union.org
Jamillah Mwanjisi, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns, HelpAge International, EWCA +254720043823 Email: Jamillah.mwanjisi@helpage.org Skype: JamillahMwanjisi
Erna Mentesnot Hintz, Communications Officer, HelpAgeInternational, Ethiopia, Tel +251 (0)116 189 512, cell +251 (911)487785 email: erna.hintz@helpage.org Skype: erna.mentesnot.hintz
For further information contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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September 07, 2015
Lusaka Hosts Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Ending Child Marriage and other Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa
Lusaka, Zambia, 07 September 2015–A five-day workshop to build the capacity of African Union Member States to end Child Marriage kicked off today Monday 7 September 2015 in Lusaka, Zambia.
Description: Description: C:\Documents and Settings\YambouE\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\NWTKJRBE\IMG_1700.jpeg
The workshop organised by African Union Commission in conjunction with UNFPA, UNICEF, Inter-African Committee and the African Child Policy Forum, under theme; "Ending Child Marriage and other harmful traditional practices in Africa - Mechanisms and Strategies, is being attended by experts from Regional Economic Communities, Member States and regional based Civil Society Organizations.The workshop will feature among others theoretical presentations on the linkages of harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, the role of stakeholders and the effect of traditional and religious practices of child marriage on Africa’s socio-economic development.
In his welcome remarks, the Zambian Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Dr Joseph Katema M.P., expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by the African Union Member States towards the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa, noting that 'as concerned Africans, we are obliged to ensure that girls remain girls, not brides and enjoy their childhood manifested in education, play, good health and participation in social and cultural endeavors that are appropriate and relevant to their development'. The Minister charged all workshop participants to maximize the opportunity in coming up mechanisms and strategies that will reflect the noble cause of ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices within the broader agenda of safe-guarding the life of children, especially the girl child.
On behalf of the African Union Commission, Dr Johan Strijdom thanked the Government of Zambia for accepting to host the Regional Capacity Building Workshop stating that 'the Republic of Zambia offers evidence toward the commitment of African governments in ensuring that resolutions are instituted nationally as well as at a community level'. In a contemporary culture, where social volatility is a common occurrence, child marriage has become a dominant subject for debate. There needs to be continuous efforts to discover new directions in eradicating the practice and enhancing the prospects grounded in gender and development. Dr Strijdom affirmed that, “Girls and women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination and achieve their potential but are prevented due to being forced into child marriage.”
A key component of the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa is to enhance the capacity of Member States Experts, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) in dealing with the harmful practice of child marriage, thus making them suitable or better equipped to design and manage development plans in which social and economic policies and strategies are fully interfaced to deliver the kinds of transformative outcomes desired in ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices affecting children in Africa.
Child Marriage has negative effects on the girl, her family, the nation and the whole world and large. These girls are also exposed to a number of health disadvantages such as the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS, the risk of cervical cancer, pregnancy and child bearing complications and even death. These and other effects as well as how to better work towards ending them is what the series of regional based workshops seeks to address.
About the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa
The campaign was launched at the continental level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29 May 2014, during the Conference of Ministers of Social Development. It aims at ending child marriage by: (i) supporting legal and policy actions in the protection and promotion of human rights, (ii) mobilizing continental awareness of the negative socio-economic impact of child marriage, (iii) building social movement and social mobilization at the grassroots and national levels; and (iv) increasing the capacity of non-state actors to undertake evidence based policy advocacy including the role of youth leadership through new media technology, monitoring and evaluation among others.
KO/EAT
Media contact
Ms. Nena Thundu; THUNDUN@africa-union.org
Mr. Kenneth Oliko; Kennetho@africa-union.org
pages.au.int/cecm| www.facebook.com/OurGirlsAfrika| www.twitter.com/ourgirlsau
For further information, please contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
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September 07, 2015
Lusaka Hosts Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Ending Child Marriage and other Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa
Lusaka, Zambia, 07 September 2015–A five-day workshop to build the capacity of African Union Member States to end Child Marriage kicked off today Monday 7 September 2015 in Lusaka, Zambia.
Description: Description: C:\Documents and Settings\YambouE\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\NWTKJRBE\IMG_1700.jpeg
The workshop organised by African Union Commission in conjunction with UNFPA, UNICEF, Inter-African Committee and the African Child Policy Forum, under theme; "Ending Child Marriage and other harmful traditional practices in Africa - Mechanisms and Strategies, is being attended by experts from Regional Economic Communities, Member States and regional based Civil Society Organizations.The workshop will feature among others theoretical presentations on the linkages of harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, the role of stakeholders and the effect of traditional and religious practices of child marriage on Africa’s socio-economic development.
In his welcome remarks, the Zambian Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Dr Joseph Katema M.P., expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by the African Union Member States towards the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa, noting that 'as concerned Africans, we are obliged to ensure that girls remain girls, not brides and enjoy their childhood manifested in education, play, good health and participation in social and cultural endeavors that are appropriate and relevant to their development'. The Minister charged all workshop participants to maximize the opportunity in coming up mechanisms and strategies that will reflect the noble cause of ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices within the broader agenda of safe-guarding the life of children, especially the girl child.
On behalf of the African Union Commission, Dr Johan Strijdom thanked the Government of Zambia for accepting to host the Regional Capacity Building Workshop stating that 'the Republic of Zambia offers evidence toward the commitment of African governments in ensuring that resolutions are instituted nationally as well as at a community level'. In a contemporary culture, where social volatility is a common occurrence, child marriage has become a dominant subject for debate. There needs to be continuous efforts to discover new directions in eradicating the practice and enhancing the prospects grounded in gender and development. Dr Strijdom affirmed that, “Girls and women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination and achieve their potential but are prevented due to being forced into child marriage.”
A key component of the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa is to enhance the capacity of Member States Experts, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) in dealing with the harmful practice of child marriage, thus making them suitable or better equipped to design and manage development plans in which social and economic policies and strategies are fully interfaced to deliver the kinds of transformative outcomes desired in ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices affecting children in Africa.
Child Marriage has negative effects on the girl, her family, the nation and the whole world and large. These girls are also exposed to a number of health disadvantages such as the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS, the risk of cervical cancer, pregnancy and child bearing complications and even death. These and other effects as well as how to better work towards ending them is what the series of regional based workshops seeks to address.
About the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa
The campaign was launched at the continental level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29 May 2014, during the Conference of Ministers of Social Development. It aims at ending child marriage by: (i) supporting legal and policy actions in the protection and promotion of human rights, (ii) mobilizing continental awareness of the negative socio-economic impact of child marriage, (iii) building social movement and social mobilization at the grassroots and national levels; and (iv) increasing the capacity of non-state actors to undertake evidence based policy advocacy including the role of youth leadership through new media technology, monitoring and evaluation among others.
KO/EAT
Media contact
Ms. Nena Thundu; THUNDUN@africa-union.org
Mr. Kenneth Oliko; Kennetho@africa-union.org
pages.au.int/cecm| www.facebook.com/OurGirlsAfrika| www.twitter.com/ourgirlsau
For further information, please contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
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September 07, 2015
Lusaka Hosts Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Capacity Building Workshop on Ending Child Marriage and other Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa
Lusaka, Zambia, 07 September 2015–A five-day workshop to build the capacity of African Union Member States to end Child Marriage kicked off today Monday 7 September 2015 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The workshop organised by African Union Commission in conjunction with UNFPA, UNICEF, Inter-African Committee and the African Child Policy Forum, under theme; "Ending Child Marriage and other harmful traditional practices in Africa - Mechanisms and Strategies, is being attended by experts from Regional Economic Communities, Member States and regional based Civil Society Organizations.
The workshop will feature among others theoretical presentations on the linkages of harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, the role of stakeholders and the effect of traditional and religious practices of child marriage on Africa’s socio-economic development.
In his welcome remarks, the Zambian Minister of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs, Dr Joseph Katema M.P., expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by the African Union Member States towards the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa, noting that 'as concerned Africans, we are obliged to ensure that girls remain girls, not brides and enjoy their childhood manifested in education, play, good health and participation in social and cultural endeavors that are appropriate and relevant to their development'. The Minister charged all workshop participants to maximize the opportunity in coming up mechanisms and strategies that will reflect the noble cause of ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices within the broader agenda of safe-guarding the life of children, especially the girl child.
On behalf of the African Union Commission, Dr Johan Strijdom thanked the Government of Zambia for accepting to host the Regional Capacity Building Workshop stating that 'the Republic of Zambia offers evidence toward the
Directorate of Information and Communication. African Union Commissioncommitment of African governments in ensuring that resolutions are instituted nationally as well as at a community level'. In a contemporary culture, where social volatility is a common occurrence, child marriage has become a dominant subject for debate. There needs to be continuous efforts to discover new directions in eradicating the practice and enhancing the prospects grounded in gender and development. Dr Strijdom affirmed that, “Girls and women have the right to live free from violence and discrimination and achieve their potential but are prevented due to being forced into child marriage.”
A key component of the African Union Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa is to enhance the capacity of Member States Experts, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Civil Society Organizations(CSOs) in dealing with the harmful practice of child marriage, thus making them suitable or better equipped to design and manage development plans in which social and economic policies and strategies are fully interfaced to deliver the kinds of transformative outcomes desired in ending child marriage and other harmful traditional practices affecting children in Africa.
Child Marriage has negative effects on the girl, her family, the nation and the whole world and large. These girls are also exposed to a number of health disadvantages such as the risks of contracting HIV/AIDS, the risk of cervical cancer, pregnancy and child bearing complications and even death. These and other effects as well as how to better work towards ending them is what the series of regional based workshops seeks to address.
About the AU Campaign to End Child Marriage in AfricaThe campaign was launched at the continental level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 29 May 2014, during the Conference of Ministers of Social Development. It aims at ending child marriage by: (i) supporting legal and policy actions in the protection and promotion of human rights, (ii) mobilizing continental awareness of the negative socio-economic impact of child marriage, (iii) building social movement and social mobilization at the grassroots and national levels; and (iv) increasing the capacity of non-state actors to undertake evidence based policy advocacy including the role of youth leadership through new media technology, monitoring and evaluation among others.
KO/EATMedia contact
Ms. Nena Thundu; THUNDUN@africa-union.org
Mr. Kenneth Oliko; Kennetho@africa-union.org
pages.au.int/cecm| www.facebook.com/OurGirlsAfrika| www.twitter.com/ourgirlsauFor further information, please contact:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | EthiopiaFollow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
Learn more at: http://www.au.int -
September 07, 2015 to September 11, 2015
African Union Regional Capacity Building Training On Ending Child Marriage and other Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs)
7 – 11 Sept. 2015 | Lusaka, Zambia -
September 07, 2015 to September 11, 2015Course on Ending Child Marriage and Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa- Mechanisms And Strategies
Course on Ending Child Marriage and Harmful Traditional Practices in Africa- Mechanisms And Strategies
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September 07, 2015
Commission signs an MoU with Earls Media for the promotion of Sports personalities in Africa
Brazzaville, Congo, 7th September 2015: The African Union Commission and Earls Media signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Saturday 5th September 2015 aiming to promote sports personalities in Africa. The signing ceremony took place in Brazzaville in the framework of the 11th Edition of the African Games between the AUC Commissioner for Social Affairs, H.E Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko and the Director of Earls Media, Mr. Olive Banwo Olajide.
The purpose of this MoU is to provide a framework for cooperation in the promotion of sport development in Africa through the recognition of outstanding personalities in sport and rewarding of sporting legends in Africa, the encouragement of sport celebrities to give back to their communities as well as the promotion of social responsibility activities such as HIV/AIDS advocacy in sports, sport for development and peace, youth empowerment, humanitarian causes, stopping violence against women, and communication of key AU messages.
H.E Dr Kaloko described the MoU as an excellent opportunity to publicize African sports celebrities who are not well known by the younger generation on the continent. Moreover, he highlighted that the partnership will contribute to build a strong narrative on sport legends through a new lens in line with African realities.
In the same vein, the CEO of Earls Media welcomed this new step between Earls Media and the AUC and reiterated the commitment of his organization to support the commission in its efforts to empower African youth through sports.
The duration of the partnership is five (5) years and it shall be renewable by mutual consent of the parties six (6) months prior to its expiration.
Earls Media is an entertainment/sports events management outfit headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom and Lagos, Nigeria. JL/WZM
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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September 04, 2015 to September 19, 2015
Africa reaffirms its commitment to promote unity through sports as the first African Games under the ownership of the African Union ended in Brazzaville
Brazzaville, Congo, 21 September 2015. The 11th edition of the African Games officially ended on 19th September 2015 after 15 days of intense competition at the Kintele Stadium and sporting Complex in Brazzaville, Congo. The African Union Commission honored the closing ceremony of the Games with the presence of a delegation headed by the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Erastus Mwencha accompanied by the Commissioner for Human resources, Science and Technology, H.E Dr. Martial de Paul Ikounga. The ceremony, presided over by H.E Denis Sassou Nguesso, was attended by some Heads of State and Government as well as high ranking officials from African countries.
The colorful closing ceremony was an occasion to display the rich and diverse African culture as well as its dynamism and potential. The participants had an opportunity to visualize the aspiration 5 of Agenda 2063 aiming to create “An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics”. Indeed different performances by African artists described a continent relying on the values of community, hard work and mutual respect and ready to take charge of its own destiny. Brazzaville, cradle of the African Olympic spirit, successfully hosted the 11th edition of African Games, after the organization of the very first edition in 1965, 50 years ago.
During the closing ceremony the Minister of Sports of Congo and President of the organizing committee, Mr. Leon Opimba handed over the AU flag to the AUC Deputy Chairperson, H.E Erastus Mwencha, as the AU is the owner of the African Games and the institution implementing the decision of the African Union Executive Council establishing the new architecture for Sports in Africa and approving the dissolution of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (SCSA). The integrated functions of the SCSA including the ownership, coordination and organization of the African Games were transferred to the African Union in January 2012.
Mr. Opimba commended the fair play spirit of the African youth during the competition and expressed his gratitude to the African Union for its leadership and constructive collaboration. He pointed out the fact that sport is a catalyst towards bringing the African people together and a driver for peace on the continent. He also highlighted that the 11th edition of the African Games was a window of opportunity to show the ability of Africa to host important sporting events.
This 11th edition brought together 8000 athletes competing in 22 sporting disciplines, 1000 officials and 1000 journalists to celebrate Pan-Africanism and African solidarity The next edition will take place in 2019.
About the African games
African Games is a Pan-African multidisciplinary sports event which gathered African Union member states every 4 four years to promote African unity and solidarity through sports. The celebration of the Africanness on the continent through sports started in 1960 marked by the organization of the first Friendship Games held in Madagascar. However, the Friendship Games was reserved exclusively to French-speaking countries.
In order to correct involve all African countries in the games, a conference of African Sports Ministers recommended the organization of games involving all African countries. The Decision facilitated the participation of several English-speaking countries during the 1963 Friendship Games, held in Dakar. This was without a doubt a major triggering factor in the hosting of an event on a continental scale. And in the end, it was Brazzaville who hosted the first African Games from 18 to 25 July, 1965 with the participation of 30 countries, competing in 10 sporting disciplines. JL/wzm
Further media inquiries should be directed to:
Jerry Laurence Lemogo |Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | E-mail: Laurencej@africa-union.org | Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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September 03, 2015
Second Bureau Meeting Focuses on Strengthening the Interface between Youth Culture and Sport
3 September 2015- The Second Bureau Meeting of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Youth, Culture and Sport took place today, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation in the Republic of Congo’s capital, Brazzaville.
Among the guests present at the meeting were: The African Union Commissioner for Social Affairs H.E Dr. Mustafa Sidiki Kaloko; Youth and Civic Education Minister of the Republic of Congo H.E Anatole Collinet Makosso; the State Minister and Chief of Staff of the President Mr. Firmin Ayessa and African Union Commissioner of Human Resources, Science and Technology H.E Dr. Martial De Paul Ikounga.
The main objectives of the meeting included: An endorsement of the request to host the sub-committee on sport; review the progress on the implementation of decisions of the first meeting on youth, culture and sport; and discuss the proposed theme, date and venue for the Second Session of the Specialized Technical Committee Meeting on Youth, Culture and Sport.
A common sentiment shared by all the speakers was Africa’s need to empower the youth and foster a spirit of unity. Mr Makosso spoke on the importance of culture and sport to the development of youth. He also encouraged investing in and creating sustainable initiatives, so that the dividends would go towards developing young people.
AU Commissioner of Human Resources Science and Technology Dr Martial de Paul Ikounga described sport as a unifying factor. “We should work to ensure sport continues to unite people”, he said. Recalling African success at the recently ended the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) world championships athletics held in Beijing, Dr. Ikounga said: “We are happy that Kenya has demonstrated that Africa is on the way to actualizing its dreams.” Commissioner Ikounga also recalled that Africa’s development path is well mapped out in the continental Agenda 2063 Framework. “We don’t need to make another agenda”, he said.
While the continent is acknowledged for fostering some of the world’s top talents, some challenges still need to be addressed. There is a need to create sustainable solutions to problems that the youth face, which include unemployment and having a favorable business environment across Africa. These were the views expressed by State Minister and Chief of Staff of the President Mr Firmin Ayessa at the meeting.
The State Minister also reminded the guests that the youth are waiting for answers on three fronts: investment, opportunities and capacity building. He also touched on the Invention and Innovation meeting, which takes place every two years, as an opportunity for the youth to showcase their work and talents.
Today’s meeting took place against the backdrop of the 11th edition of the Africa Games which are due to be officially opened by Congolese President Mr Denis Sassou Nguesso on 4 September in Brazzaville, an occasion which will be attended by African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. The games this year also mark 50 years since the country hosted the first ever African Games in 1965. JO/WZM