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Imagine stepping into a bustling conference hall filled with the vibrant energy of over 400 leaders, ministers, activists, and young visionaries from every corner of the African continent. A shared mission unites them: to advance gender equality in education and forge a path toward a brighter future for girls and women.
This was the atmosphere at the Gender at the Centre Initiative’s event at the 1st Pan-African Conference on Girls and Women Education in Africa (AU-PANCOGEd), hosted by the African Union’s CIEFFA from 2-5 July.
As a key player in advancing gender equality in and through education, GCI organized the panel to unite leaders, ministers, civil society representatives, gender experts, and young activists. It provided a platform to celebrate achievements and explore future strategies for enhancing gender equality in education.
If you missed this hybrid event, here’s what was discussed:
The GCI team leads, including IIEP-UNESCO, opened the event by sharing the programme’s remarkable journey, from inception to change. The GCI story was not just about policies and programmes; but about dreams realized, challenges overcome, and the journey of transforming education in the partner countries. Since its inception in 2019, GCI has driven change by embedding gender equality at the core of educational systems. As GCI now embarks on its second phase, it aims to create more equitable educational opportunities for all with renewed vigor and innovative projects.
What's at stake, what can be done?
The Ministerial Panel, moderated by the young feminist Gladys Oghene and Fabricia Devignes, GCI team lead from IIEP, featured a distinguished group of speakers including Ministers from Uganda and Chad, as well as educational leaders from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and IIEP.
Honorable Joyce Moriku Kaducu from Uganda shared her pioneering efforts in gender-responsive budgeting within the education sector. Meanwhile, Honorable Hamit Lony, Secretary of State for Education from Chad, discussed the country’s challenges, such as the refugee crisis and poverty. He highlighted how Chad addresses these challenges through strong international commitments, effective legislation, and inclusive education policy planning.
IIEP Director Martín Benavides outlined crucial lessons from GCI’s first phase. He emphasized the need to overcome resistance to gender equality, prioritize gender issues even in crises, and address the persistent "illusion of gender equality" in education systems. Looking ahead, Benavides highlighted GCI's focus on enhanced training, capacity building, and integrating gender-responsive planning and budgeting in education across Africa.
Julie Mwabe, GPE’s Global Advocacy and Public Policy Lead, presented the GPE strategy on gender equality in and through education, mobilizing critical financing to drive change, and involving civil society organizations and governments.
Their discussion underscored a powerful message: transformative change is achievable if we commit to robust policies, invest in gender-responsive education, and collaborate across sectors.
Advancing gender equality together
In a more intimate setting, the Solidarity Circle provided a stage for young feminists to shine. This segment celebrated youth-led activism and creativity. As these young leaders shared their stories and engaged in interactive activities, the room was filled with infectious energy and optimism. The Solidarity Circle was a live reminder that the future of gender equality in education is in capable hands, driven by the passion and vision of the next generation.
What's working best?
The Best Practices and Perspective session offered a deep dive into successful strategies and lessons learned during the initiative. The session gathered key players from the first phase and newcomers from the second phase. A Ministry representative from Nigeria illuminated the impact of gender-responsive education planning at the decentralized level through state education sector plans. Civil society organizations, Plan International, and the African Campaign Network for Education for All shared their work challenging harmful gender norms in communities, highlighting the crucial role of grassroots advocacy and the power of civil society organizations and ministry collaboration in driving policy change.
The Ministry of Education from Madagascar emphasized the value of South-South knowledge sharing in fostering regional innovation by explaining their participation in the GCI-led Community of Practice. Lastly, Senegal offered a forward-looking vision for the second phase of GCI, embodying the promise of continued progress and commitment to gender equality in and through education.
A look ahead
As GCI launches its second phase, fueled by the support of France and GPE, the momentum generated at AU-PANCOGEd is set to drive significant progress in gender equality in education across Africa. This event has underscored the power of unwavering commitment, innovative strategies, and collaborative efforts in creating a more equitable and inclusive educational future. We call upon all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey. AU-CIEFFA's pivotal role in fulfilling continental commitments to education and gender equality in Africa will be crucial in this phase of GCI.
Together let’s strengthen and expand the movement for gender-transformative education in Africa and beyond. Join us in this important mission and be part of the change.
