Kigali, Rwanda 15 July 2016 - Advancing the rights of women in Africa goes hand in hand with a mindset change from negative cultural attitudes that seemed to have stripped women of their rights from the past decades.

This was highlighted on Friday by Ms. Mahawa Kaba Wheeler, Director for Women, Gender and Development at the African Union Commission (AUC), while presenting the AU’s gender progress and action plans indicated in Agenda 2063.

She told journalists during a press conference organised at the Kigali Convention Center (KCC) that AU is dedicated to ensure that women have at least 50 percent representation in public and private spheres, as indicated the AU Constitutive Act. Also in alignment with the theme for the 27th AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, which is: “2016: African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women”.

“Experience shows us that when equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to contribute fully to the development of their nations, as well as empower families and entire communities to overcome challenges such as poverty and illiteracy,” she said.

“Unfortunately, there are some traditional cultural practices and sayings that are negative and do nothing in the advancement of women rights. Through our Agenda 2063, we call for such practices to be eradicated in every society, so that girls and women can be given the platform to achieve their fullest potential.”

She said that whereas women and girls have in the past been disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination, the tide is changing currently, with a number of countries taking positive strides in implementing policies that advance gender equality.

“Lack of education for girls in some societies has contributed to early marriage, but this is changing, with the number of girls now in education increasing tremendously over the past decade. Many governments in Africa have also repelled discriminatory laws which prohibit women from owning or inheriting property, holding bank accounts, or prosecuting their abusers,” underlined Director Wheeler.

“But this fight for gender equality cannot end now. We have to continue pushing for equality, well-knowing that many girls all over Africa still unsolicited risks and a lack of making choices for their own lives.”

She urged African governments to channel more funds towards gender equality, noting that inadequate funds for gender equality initiatives is still a challenge affecting women rights throughout the continent.

Women and girls are an important part of the solutions needed to truly overcome poverty. Women tend to transfer improvements in their own lives to the lives of their children, families and communities. To ensure this happens, we promote savings and provide women with small loans so they can turn their talents into businesses.

The AU has an agenda that by 2063, all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls would have been eliminated and they would fully enjoy all their human rights.

This target intends to end all harmful social practices, such as female circumcision and early marriages, and eradicate all barriers to access to quality health and education for women and girls would be non-existent.

Among other goals, Agenda 2063 seeks to fully empower women with equal access and opportunity in all spheres of life, as well as ensure that over 90 percent of rural women have access to productive assets, including land, credit, inputs and financial services.
The press conference ended with several one on one interviews granted by Director Wheeler to the continental and international press present at the venue of the 27th AU Summit.

Journalists wishing to interview the leadership of the AU Commission during the Summit should submit their requests to Mrs Esther Azaa Tankou, Ag. Director of Information and Communication of the AUC, via E-mail: YambouE@africa-union.org / esthertankou@yahoo.com;
Tel: +250 789923794

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For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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