The African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA), the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), and World Vision International (WVI) Liaison Office to the African Union jointly convened a side event during the 11th commemoration of the Africa Day of School Feeding, held in Gaborone, Botswana, from 28^th February to 1^st March 2026. The session took place on 28^th February under the theme “Integrating Education, Nutrition, and WASH to Advance Girls’ Education in Africa.”

The gathering brought together government officials, civil society organisations, and students to explore practical actions and partnerships for scaling integrated and gender sensitive models across AU Member States. Participants also showcased country-level innovations and experiences linking school feeding, nutrition, and WASH to improved educational outcomes for girls. Discussions highlighted gender-responsive approaches, particularly menstrual health and hygiene, within national school feeding and school health policies.

The active participation of youth leaders and students amplified voices of young people and demonstrated their leadership in shaping, monitoring, and advocating for integrated school feeding, nutrition, WASH, and education initiatives.

Speaking at the event, Mrs. Simone Yankey, Coordinator of AU CIEFFA, emphasized the direct linkages between school feeding, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), and girls’ learning outcomes and retention.

“We must also equally acknowledge Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities as a critical aspect for retention of girls in school. Ensuring proper WASH facilities is not merely an infrastructural issue, it is also essential for protecting girls’ health, dignity, and educational continuity, and for creating a conducive and equitable learning environment,” she noted.

The event aligns with one of the objectives of the CESA (Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2026 – 2035) Cluster on Gender, Equity, Inclusion, and Disabilities, which seeks to promote safety within school environments.

Key recommendations emerging from the discussions included:

• strengthening the involvement of community actors and students in school feeding and WASH decision-making;
• enhancing parental support to complement government efforts;
• prioritising the needs of girls with disabilities;
• encouraging locally generated revenue to sustain school meals and expand WASH infrastructure; and
• Prioritising gender responsive education policies and accountability mechanisms for reform, implementation and financing.

Delegates present at the event include Samuel Norgah, Director of the WVI liaison Office to the AU and Catherine Asego, Senior Policy Officer at FAWE. The 11th Africa Day of School Feeding is organised by the African Union Commitment Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation in collaboration with the Government of Botswana. This year’s theme is “Ensuring Access to Nutritious Meals, Clean Water, and Hygiene: Promoting Safety and Resilience in Every School Meal Investment.”

For further information, please contact:

1. Azwe Success Barbara Viof, Communications Officer | African Union International Centre for Girls & Women’s Education in Africa | African Union Commission WhatsApp: +226 64 90 44 95 | E-mail: barbaras@africanunion.org | Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
2. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar, Senior Communication Officer - Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission Tel: +251 904 138 354| E-mail: gamalk@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia