The African Union Commission led by the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate is convening the 9th Specialized Technical Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (STC on GEWE). The STC will be held back to back with the Africa Review meeting on the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (B+3 Review) and the Africa Pre-Consultation meeting on the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

The 9th STC on GEWE is convening at a pivotal time in the history of African women’s human rights as it will consider the draft the historic AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and prepare for its submission to AU Policy Organs for adoption. The STC will also consider the 2023 Member States and AUC Chairperson’s Reports on the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA) and also adopt the Africa Review Report on B+30 as well as the Common Africa Position for CSW 69.

As the term of the current STC Bureau has come to an end, the 9th STC will also hold elections to elect the new Bureau whose term will start in 2024 and end in 2026.

The meeting will be attended by the AU Ministers in charge of Gender and Women’s Affairs and their Experts. The meetings are scheduled as follows:

Youth and Civil Societies Organizations consultations (BEIJING +30)

Experts Sessions.

Ministerial Sessions.

Thematic focus of the STC- GEWE.

1. Elections of the new Bureau of STC on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

Rule 16, 2 of the Rules of Procedure of the STC on GEWE, provides for a two-year term for the Bureau of the STC. The current Bureau was elected during the 7th Ordinary session of STC in November 2022 for a period of two (2). Its term will end in October 2024 and a new Bureau will be elected during the 9th STC in October, 2024.

2. AU High Level Presidential Initiative on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa

AU High Level Presidential Initiative on Positive Masculinity in Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa was established in 2020 with a view to mobilize political commitment and action at the highest level of the AU leadership and decision making to prevent and end Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa. The Initiative is operationalized through the Annual AU Men’s Conferences and the multi- stakeholder pre-conference consultations with AU citizens. The High-Level Men’s Conferences are convened by AU Chairpersons (current, former and incoming) since 2020 and the AU Gender Champions; AU Commission, and the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), with the support of UN Agencies, civil society, private sector, development partners, and other stakeholder.

Learn more about the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Men’s Conference.

• 2021 Inaugural African Union Men’s Conference on Positive Masculinity
• 2022 Second Men's Conference
• 2023 3rd Men’s Conference

3. African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.

In February 2023, the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government during their 36th Ordinary Summit adopted a historic decision to negotiate the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG).

In addition, in February 2024, during their 37th AU Summit, the Heads of State reiterated their commitment to support and conclude the negotiations and submit a draft Convention for adoption in February 2025. Once adopted, the CEVAWG will be the first continental legal instrument for the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, demonstrating African leadership in efforts to end VAWG globally.

Learn more about the Drafting of the Convention here.

4. The 2023 Reports of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa.

Adopted by AU Heads of State and Government at their July 2004 Summit, the SDGEA is divided into six thematic areas of action: Health, Peace and Security, Governance, Human Rights, Education and Women’s Empowerment.

There are two important obligations in the SDGEA. The first is in Paragraph 13, which enjoins the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) to submit an annual report for the consideration of the Heads of State and Government on measures taken to implement the principles of gender equality and gender mainstreaming as per the articles of the SDGEA.

The second is in Paragraph 12, which further enjoins AU Heads of State and Government to report annually on their progress in gender mainstreaming at the Summit

The 9th STC on GEWE will consider and adopt the 2023 SDGEA reports.

5. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action plus 30 Review/ The Africa Pre-Commission on the Status of Women 69 Consultation (Pre-CSW69).

In 2025, the global community will mark the thirtieth (30th) anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. In March 2025, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing+30/B+30), the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will undertake a review and appraisal of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and accelerate the realization of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all women and girls.

Accordingly, all States are required to undertake comprehensive national-level reviews of the progress made and challenges encountered in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

In that regard, all AU Member States (MS) have been requested to submit their B+30 national reports to assess implementation and identify challenges encountered in the twelve (12) Beijing Critical Areas of Concern. These are Women and poverty; Education and training of women; Women and health; Violence against Women; Women and armed conflict; Women and the economy; Women in power and decision-making; Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of Women; Human rights of Women, Women and the media; Women and the environment and the Girl-child. The national reports will culminate into the development of the Africa Review Report on Beijing+30, which will be considered at CSW69.

The Africa Review Report on Beijing+30 which will be the Africa Pre-Commission on the Status of Women 69 Consultation (CSW69) in preparation for the sixty-ninth session of the CSW (CSW69) will be held as follow:

Objectives and expectations of the STC- GEWE.

The objectives of the 7th STC are as follows:

• To elect the new Bureau of the STC on GEWE
• To consider the draft historic AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and
• Girls and prepare for its submission to AU Policy Organs for adoption.
• To consider and adopt the 2023 Reports of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA)
• To receive an update on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action plus 30 Review/ The Africa Pre-Commission on the Status of Women 69 Consultation (CSW69)

Expected Results

• The new STC- GEWE Bureau is elected.
• The AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls is considered.
• The Reports on the implementation of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA) adopted.
• Update on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action plus 30 Review/ The Africa Pre-Commission on the Status of Women 69 Consultation (CSW69).

For further information, contact;

• Jeanne Flora Kayitesi | Programme Officer | Women, Gender and Development Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail kayitesijf@africa-union.org
• Ms. Doreen Apollos | Communication | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail ApollosD@africa-union.org