By Sarjo M. Camara
The Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Welfare, Mr. Kajali Sonko recently participated in the 9th Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (GEWE) in his capacity as the 3rd Vice Chairperson of the Committee. The forum was held at the African Union, headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In his address, Mr. Sonko expressed heartfelt gratitude to all partners in this journey, the African Union Commission, UN-Women, UNDP, and the UNFPA for their unparalleled collaboration in organising the 30 years of analytical review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action B+30, the Pre-CSW69 consultations for the African Common Position (ACP), as well as the expert negotiation on the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Africa He extended sincere appreciation to the host, the Government and the people of Ethiopia, for their warm hospitality.
Mr Sonko posited that the declaration, and platform for action adopted nearly three decades ago marked a transformative moment in the global commitment to advancing women’s rights. “While this platform laid a framework for policies and initiatives that have inspired progress, we must acknowledge that the journey is far from complete”. He went on to highlight the summary of the achievements attained since 1995: “Africa has made remarkable progress in closing gender parity in education and on reducing maternal mortality and fertility rates. Member states have also made significant efforts to implement the women’s peace and security agenda by adopting national action plans based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and seamlessly integrating the agenda into their policies and strategies. Member states have also largely adopted the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, on the Rights of Women in Africa, Maputo Protocol.
Almost all member states have set up gender focal persons in government ministries, departments, and agencies to institutionalize national gender mainstreaming frameworks”. However, despite all these achievements, the third Vice Chair of the STC pointed out that persisting barriers and emerging challenges largely exist on the continent and pose significant risk to sustainable, inclusive development. “Economically, one out of 10 women in Africa continue to live in extreme poverty. African women spend 75% of their time on unpaid work, relative to 25% for men”.
Socially, DPS Sonko pointed out, challenges like gender-based violence, marginal advances in women representation and participation in public and political spheres, obstacles to gender equality continue to loom large. “Moreover, multiple crises, the pandemic, conflicts, climate change, and debt crises, coupled with emerging issues in digital space, such as gender digital divide, and gender-based bias in AI models, further exacerbate these challenges, exposing vulnerabilities on women and girls in Africa”.
