INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHAT:           The African Union Commission’s Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (AUC-WGYD) will commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 under the theme: “Honouring Women of the African Union: Voices, Work and Community.” The 2026 commemoration, chaired by the African Union leadership, is designed as an internal, human-centered celebration aimed at recognizing the diverse and indispensable contributions of women across all levels of the Commission. The event will feature a dialogue followed by an Iftar/Dinner and a music performance.

The event will transition from high-level policy discussion to a community-building celebration, featuring:

• Keynote Address: Remarks of appreciation from H.E. the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
• Open Dialogue: A facilitated dialogue centred on the lived experiences of women within the institution.
• Recognition Segment: A ceremony deliberately honouring women across all professional categories, from senior leadership and policy development to cleaning, catering, security, and logistics.

WHEN and WHERE:         Monday, 9 March 2026 I AUC Headquarters, Addis Ababa

Dialogue: Medium Conference Hall I 16:30 – 18:00

Iftar/Dinner: Multipurpose Hall I 18:00

WHO:             The event is organized by the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) in collaboration with the Office of the Chairperson, the Office of the Deputy Chairperson (DCP), Human Resource Directorate (Internal Communication), the Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), and the AUC Staff Association. Participants include women in leadership, technical officers, administrative staff, and essential service providers (cleaning, maintenance, catering, and security).

OBJECTIVES :

• Honour and Celebrate: Recognize the work of women across all service levels within the AUC.
• Elevate Voices: Provide a platform for "invisible" roles and lived experiences within the institutional space.
• Strengthen Solidarity: Foster a culture of dignity, inclusion, and mutual support to improve internal morale.
• Reinforce Commitment: Demonstrate the AU’s progress in protecting women’s rights within all professional spheres.

Background:

Building a just and inclusive Africa begins within the institutional culture of the African Union itself. While the AU has established strong continental frameworks like the Maputo Protocol, the AUCEVAWG and Agenda 2063, the 2026 IWD theme focuses on living these principles of dignity and respect within the Commission's own walls. By highlighting the "Heartbeat of the Union", the women who sustain the daily operations of the house, the AUC aims to transform internal appreciation into a powerful testament to the "Africa We Want".

JOURNALISTS ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Mrs. Wynne Musabayana | Head, Communication Division, Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: MUSABAYANAW@africanunion.org

Ms. Adele Onguene Atangana | Communications Associate, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail: AtanganaA@AfricanUnion.org