Nairobi, November 18, 2019: A three-day Humanitarian Symposium on Gender Dimension to Forced Displacement in Africa; Towards Durable Solutions, commenced in Nairobi, Kenya, with Member States, UNHCR, Partners, the Civil Society, the Academia and other humanitarian actors in attendance.

The Symposium, which is the 7th edition, is part of the activities lined up for the theme of the Year 2019, the Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa.

In her address, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, H.E. Minata Samate Cessouma, said the problem of forced displacement and its impact on society and displaced persons remain disturbing.

She said that the greatest impact is on women and children, and that many situations the gender perspectives of forced displacement are side-lined often with far reaching negative impact on solutions.

The Commissioner said there are however, some significant developments in the area of governance in Africa relating to migration, humanitarian issues and displacements, adding that these efforts are encouraging for Africa’s aspirations put forth in Agenda 2063 by our leaders.

She said that there are about 65 million people forcibly displaced globally, explaining that 48 million out of the number are displaced because of conflicts.

She said In spite of various efforts deployed over the years, the phenomenon of forced displacement continues to be one of the greatest challenges faced by the AU and its member states.

``It is for this reason that the AU dedicated its theme for 2019 to refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: with a focus on addressing root causes and achieving durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa’’, she explained.

The Commissioner said efforts are being made to establish the African humanitarian Agency which would help in fixing the existing gaps in the current African humanitarian response.

Speaking, Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otenge, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) PRC Sub-Committee on Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Permanent Representative of the republic of Uganda to the AU said Africa lacks an authentic data and the right technology to reach and support refugees and IDPs.

She said ``the Africa We Want’’ is not the Africa of crises and conflicts, rather, we want an Africa where we have peace and stability.

In his address, Mr Cosmas Chanda, UNHCR Representative to the African Union and UNECA, said global demographics shows that women and girls make up approximately 50 per cent of any refugee or IDP population.

Chanda said the percentage can be much higher or lower, depending on the root causes of the displacement, adding that gender inequalities, including patriarchal systems and gender-based violence, contribute to women and girls being disproportionately and specifically affected.

He explained that many conflicts see women and girls targeted for violent and degrading sexual assaults simply because they are female, or to terrorize or wreak ‘revenge’ on their communities.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Yusuf Muhammed | Knowledge Management and Communications Officer
Department of Political Affairs | Mohammedy@africa-union.org | Tel: +2511155177 00