AU Commission Chairperson to champion the cause of African women empowerment at the G7 Forum for Dialogue with Women

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 14 September 2015: The African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will attend the G7 Forum for Dialogue with Women to be held in Berlin, Germany on 16th and 17th September 2015. The Forum, convened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, is an outcome of the G7 Summit recently hosted at the Schloss Elmau in Germany. The Forum intends to ensure, amongst other priorities, that women are empowered and “women in developing countries are also … assured access to education and self-employment.”

Dr Dlamini Zuma will contribute in the thematic group, which will focus on Women’s Political Participation and be moderated by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour. UNDP Head, Ms. Helen Clark, will also be present. “Women are the driving force of Africa, therefore the sustainable development agenda cannot be pursued without the active participation of more than 50% of the continents people”, Dr. Dlamini Zuma stated. “That is why we have declared 2015 the Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”, she added prior to her departure to Berlin. Agenda 2063, which was adopted by the AU Heads of State and Government, is Africa’s premier global platform of action to realise shared prosperity and lasting peace on the continent.

Consequently, Dr. Dlamini Zuma will highlight priority projects in the first ten year implementation plan of Agenda 2063, which include practical ways to empower women and girls, reduction of poverty and inequality amongst women, strengthening vocational training and economic autonomy of women and girls, as well as overcoming gender-based barriers to women empowerment.

The Chairperson will also take the time, on 15 September, to participate in the ONE Campaign Event titled “Poverty is Sexist” at the Hotel Aldon Kempinsky at 20H30, where she will offer remarks. ONE is an international campaign cofounded by human rights activist and multi award winner Bono. The advocacy camp includes 7 million global citizens who are taking action to end extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa.

Following her mission to Berlin, the AU chairperson will undertake official visits to Norway (18 to 20 September) and Sweden (21 to 23 September) to strengthen relations with those Scandinavian nations in order to address women empowerment in particular; especially as they relate to the blue economy, agro business and industrialization.

For Media Queries please contact:
1. Vukani Lumumba Mthintso, Advisor to the Chairperson of the AUC on +251 932 089 829 or +27 82 325 2204 mail: Mthintsov@africa-union.org AND vukanilumumba@gmail.com
2. Bushy Sekhu, Communications Officer Beurea of the AUC Chairperson, +251 926 773 226 or +27 84 245 1574 mail: SekhuB@africa-union.org AND sekhub@gmail.com