Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 29 January 2016: The Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union Commission (AUC) addressed the press on 29 January 2016 at the margins of the 26th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government. He addressed the following key subjects: Migration, Campaign on Ending Child Marriage in Africa and African Union: Support to Ebola outbreak in West Africa (ASOWA) while highlighting the efforts of the AU Commission to address the issues.

Commissioner Kaloko expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to interact with the media. He pointed out that the media play an important role in creating awareness on the different issues the AU Commission is dealing with to improve the livelihoods of the African citizens. On the issue of Description: Description: SOA1.jpgmigration, the Commissioner said, a lot of has been done to stop the excessive displacement of people especially the urge of the youths to go abroad in search of greener pastures. “Measures are taken to create more job opportunities to make sure that our youths become marketable by encouraging labour migration within the continent”, noted the Commissioner. The issue of free movement of people was addressed by Commissioner Kaloko, underlining the importance of building the culture of peace. “The Commission is encouraging movement within the continent, because it believes when given this opportunity to the youths to move freely, it will further encourage labour migration, share knowledge and help in boosting the economic growth of the continent.

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With regard to the campaign on ending child marriage in Africa, the Commissioner called on the media to fully play their advocacy role to help stop this practice at all levels given that some people use the pretext of culture to continue this practice. He said Africa has to invest on its girls because they will be the women of tomorrow. “We are looking at 50 years from now, on the Agenda 2063 a population of very young people and girls in that population are going to play a major role”, noted the Commissioner. He explained that women play a very important role in advancing the socio-economic development of the continent. “If we do not invest in our girls right now, it’s like we are expecting a bumper harvest, forgetting to sow the seeds in the first place. …We have to empower the women” the Commissioner emphasized.

On the African Support to the Ebola Outbreak in West African (ASEOWA), the AU Commissioner for Social Affairs said this is one of the best achievements and success story of the AU Commission. He said, Ebola was an emergency which had a negative impact on the lives of people, and grounded the economy of three African countries. “The African integration agenda was nearly deranged because of the Ebola outbreak. However, out of this crisis, some very impressive activities were implemented smoothly by the AU. For the first time the AU diversified its activities by deploying doctors from Member States to assist the Ebola affected countries as well as other workers who volunteered their services and all returned from these countries without being contaminated”, noted the Commissioner.

Today all the three affected countries have been declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Ebola free. According to the Social Affairs Commissioner, the AU has continued to follow-up with these countries to ensure that they totally regain their economic independence and empowerment.

HB/EAT

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

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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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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia