Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, set the tone at a high-level event in New York on 17 March, emphasizing that while progress has been made, the goal of reaching gender equality across Africa is still a long way off. 

She delivered the keynote speech at an event organized by the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which this year marks the 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted. 

The gathering brought together policymakers, women’s rights advocates, and development partners to discuss the newly adopted AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG).

Progress and Challenges

Speakers acknowledged significant achievements, such as increased school enrollment for girls, declining poverty rates among women, and laws enacted against domestic violence. However, they also highlighted the persistence of gender inequality.

“Leadership is not just about numbers; it’s about agency,” Ms. Mohammed said. “African women are stepping up, claiming their rightful place, and shaping the world they want to see. We must ensure that commitments made are translated into action.”

She praised Africa’s progress in gender representation at the African Union Commission (AUC), which has achieved gender parity in leadership. However, she stressed that more work is needed to ensure that the AU Convention on EVAWG leads to real change.

Ms. Mohammed also called for a “decolonization of education,” urging African countries to teach African values and traditions alongside global knowledge. “In Africa, we are ‘we’; we are not ‘I’,” she said, reinforcing the continent’s communal way of life.

She commended Namibia for electing a female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, calling it an example of Africa’s leadership in gender inclusivity. 

From policy to action

The AU Convention on EVAWG is the first legally binding commitment by African countries to combat violence against women and girls in all forms.

Bineta Diop, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security and AWLN Co-Convenor, described it as a historic milestone but warned that laws alone are not enough.

“Laws on paper do not protect lives. We must ensure that national governments ratify and enforce the convention,” she said.

Fatima Mohammed, Permanent Representative of the AU to the UN, echoed this urgency. She stressed that political will and concrete action are needed, urging collaboration between governments and civil society to drive policy reforms that empower women.

Participants agreed that ending violence against women must be a top priority, with strong enforcement mechanisms to track progress and punish violations.

Economic empowerment

Beyond legal protections, economic independence was identified as crucial for gender equality.

Cristina Duarte, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, argued that gender equality is not just a social issue but an economic necessity.

“Women’s empowerment is not just about fairness—it’s about economic survival,” she said. She emphasized that closing gender gaps in education, employment, and financial access could significantly boost Africa’s GDP.

She pointed to the billions African economies lose annually due to gender disparities and called for more gender-responsive economic policies.

“There is a need to integrate gender equality into national economic strategies,” she advised, stressing that women need better access to land, capital, and business opportunities.

Women in peace and security

Another key issue was women’s role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Despite being disproportionately affected by conflicts, women have historically been excluded from formal negotiations.

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, called for greater inclusion of women in decision-making processes.

“Women must not be sidelined in mediation efforts,” she said, stating that research shows peace agreements are more durable when women are involved.

Ms. Diop reinforced the urgent need to address ongoing conflicts, particularly in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.

“Women’s participation in decision-making remains critical, especially in conflict resolution,” she said. “We must ensure their inclusion in negotiations for lasting peace.”

Strengthening partnerships

International partnerships were also recognized as vital for advancing gender equality.

Germany, a longtime supporter of AWLN, reaffirmed its commitment to African women’s leadership and rights. Antje Leendertse, the Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN and Co-Chair of the AWLN Group of Friends, stressed the need for collective action.

“Thirty years after Beijing, and with just five years left to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we must do better,” she said. She identified gender-based violence as a major barrier to equality and called for stronger enforcement of legal protections.

She urged governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society to work together to implement gender policies and ensure women’s rights are upheld.

A call to action

As the event concluded, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating progress on gender equality.

Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, urged regional institutions to take the lead in supporting gender initiatives.

She called for expanding mentorship programmes that “enable seasoned leaders to support emerging young women” in Africa and enacting policies to promote women’s political participation. She emphasized the need for collaboration between ECOWAS, the AU, and national governments to sustain progress.

Ms. Tchintchibidja also stressed the importance of accountability and urgency and announced ECOWAS’ interest in membership in the Group of Friends as part of a broader effort to strengthen regional cooperation. The Group of Friends is a cross-regional coalition of UN Member States that support the AWLN’s mission of advancing women's leadership and gender equality in Africa. 

The event ended with a powerful call to action—urging leaders to move beyond words and ensure Africa’s commitments to gender equality and women’s rights become a reality for future generations.