WHAT:         African Union holds Ministerial Consultation Meeting with Africa Group

WHEN:         March 13, 2026

TIME:           3:00 – 4:00 pm (UTC-4)

THEME:       “Ensuring and Strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including promoting inclusive legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, and addressing structural barriers”.

WHERE:      Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union (AU) to the United Nations (UN) on 47^th Street, 305 East, New York City.

WHO:           Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) will organize the Ministerial Consultation Meeting together with the Africa Group of Permanent Representatives of African Union Member States, to the United Nations.

Objectives:

The objectives of the Ministerial Consultation Meeting are to:

• Present the Outcomes document of the Africa Consultation for CSW70.
• Agree on strategic advocacy to influence the CSW70 Agreed Conclusions.

NOTE TO THE EDITORS:

The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is set to take place from March 09 to 19, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York , USA on priority theme “ Ensuring and Strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including promoting inclusive legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, and addressing structural barriers”. The African Union Commission (AUC) will actively participate in CSW70, with the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations and the Africa Group playing a crucial role in representing Africa's interests.

Below is the Programme of the ministerial Meeting.

Programme:

14.00 – 15.00          Arrival of Guests, Refreshment and Registration

15.00 -15.05           Welcome Remarks: H.E Amb. Mohamed Edress, Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN, New York, USA.

15.05 – 15.10         Remarks : - Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, African Union Commission (WGYD-AUC)

- Honorable Commissioner, Sallah Njie Janet Ramatoulie, Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa, ACHPR.

15.10 – 15.15         - Statement: Honorable Lesego Chombo, Minister of Youth and Gender Affairs of the Republic of Botswana, STC Bureau Chairperson.

15.15 – 15.30         - Presentation of the CSW70 Africa Common Position (CAP): STC Bureau Rapporteur, Uganda.

15.30-15.45            - Updates on the negotiations, strategizing and reflection on Africa’s participation and contribution to the CSW70 by: Africa Group Coordinator.

For more Information, contact:

1. Dr Jeanne Flora Kayitesi | Policy Officer-Coordination & Outreach I Women Gender and Youth directorate, African union Commission I E-mail: kayitesijf@africanunion.org
2. Ms. Molato Adelinah | Political Officer I Permanent Observer of the AU to the UN I E-mail: MolatoP@africanunion.org

Media Contact:

Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission of the AU to the UN and Head of Media and Information Division |  Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: yamboue@africanunion.org  Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org I
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