Chairperson Reiterates Progressive AUC Policy on Gender Equality at Women's Forum in Cairo

23 November 2010
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African Union (Addis Ababa)
press release

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping, delivered a keynote address in Cairo on Tuesday, 23 November 2010, at the opening of the African Policy Dialogue Forum on Women, Peace and Security. The forum was organized by the Women's International Peace Foundation, which was established by Egypt's First Lady, Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak.

In his address, the Chairperson highlighted the fact that this year's forum commemorates four noteworthy initiatives, including: the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Resolution 1325; the AU Year of Peace and Security launched by African Heads of State and Government in Tripoli in August 2009; the African Women's Decade, which was launched in Nairobi, Kenya, in October 2010, as well as the International Day of Ending Violence Against Women, which is celebrated every year on 25 November.

He told his audience that four key pillars define the AU's gender architecture, namely: The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa; The Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality; The African Union Gender Policy; and The African Fund for Women.

He noted that since its foundation, the African Union has demonstrated its clear commitment to the principle of gender equality. He pointed out that the AUC has mandated a 50 percent representation of women in the Commission, adding that half of the Commission's 10 elected officials are women. The AU Assembly has also created a Directorate on Women, Gender and Development in the Office of the Chairperson to co-ordinate all gender-related activities and programmes of the Commission.

He recalled that the AU adopted a Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa in 2003 as a legally-binding supplement to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and added that an African Fund for Women was also created in 2010 to support the implementation of the gender instruments ratified by Member States.

He further observed that while significant progress has been made in outlining a comprehensive human rights architecture on the continent and beyond, violations of women's human rights still persist, including sexual violence, displacement, loss of lives and livelihoods.

He also noted with regret that despite the commitment of the African Union to get women involved in conflict resolution and peace building, the rate at which women participate during peace negotiations remains low.

The Chairperson stressed that the AUC will not relent in its commitment to enhance collaboration with African women experts in the field of peace and security, and will continue to systematically include gender and women's concerns in all policies that address issues of peace and security, as well as conflict prevention on the continent.

He commended Mrs. Mubarak for the excellent work her foundation is doing to promote the cause of African women.

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