What: Under the Spotlight Initiative Africa, a collaboration between the African Union, the United Nations and the European Union, the meeting of the African Union, regional faith-based organizations, and communities of traditional leaders will seek to strengthen their engagement in prevention and response to violence against women and girls and harmful practices in Africa.

When: 19- 21 October 2021. 8.30 am EAT.

Where: Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa

Who: Convened jointly by the African Union Commission Directorate of Women, Gender and Youth, the United Nations and European Union, the meeting will bring together national and regional Faith Based Organizations; Communities of Traditional Leaders, Regional Economic Communities; Regional Civil society representatives (including women's and youth coalitions/ networks, and vulnerable groups)

Background

The meeting will seek to among other key things;

• Undertake a rapid mapping to identify key regional Faith Based Organizations and Communities of Traditional Leaders in Africa that will be engaged in the regional consultations with the AUC, as well as mechanisms for engagement.
• Develop and publish guidelines/framework on engagement with and accountability of regional faith-based organizations, and communities of traditional leaders, in collaboration with the AUC.
• Create spaces for dialogue and joint reflection amongst regional Faith Based Organizations, Communities of Traditional Leaders and the AU Commission to identify emerging opportunities to advance progress on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and harmful practices.
• Increase interaction and strengthen collaboration between the different stakeholders
• Develop Guidelines on the engagement of faith and traditional leaders developed.

For further information please contact:

Doreen Apollos | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: ApollosD@africa-union.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Afrah Thabit | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: Thabitma@africa-union.org   | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Aijamal Duishebaeva, Advocacy and Campaign Coordinator, UN Women, Tel:(66)22882387/

E-mail: aijamal.duishebaeva@unwomen.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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