The pursuit of gender equality in education across Africa received a significant boost earlier this month as policymakers, educators, and civil society representatives convened in New York to discuss strengthening legal and policy frameworks. The high-level side event, hosted by the African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA) in collaboration with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), took place on March 11, 2026, on the margins of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). The discussions centered on accelerating access to justice for women and girls, a key priority theme of this year’s CSW, and aligning legislative reforms with the African Union’s long-term development goals.
The event underscored the critical link between legal protections and educational attainment for girls and women. Participants emphasized that true justice in education extends beyond simply providing access to schools; it requires creating equitable, safe, and supportive learning environments where every girl has the opportunity to thrive. This necessitates addressing systemic barriers, including discriminatory laws and practices that hinder girls’ educational opportunities and perpetuate gender inequality. The African Union’s Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for transforming Africa, explicitly recognizes human capital development and gender equality as foundational pillars for sustainable progress, highlighting the importance of investing in girls’ education as a catalyst for broader societal advancement.
Opening remarks from Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, the African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), and Ambassador Mohammed Edrees, the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN, set the tone for the discussions. Professor Banyankimbona powerfully stated, “When we harness girls’ education, we reimagine and rebuild communities. We build societies where women lead, where peace is sustained, and where no one is left behind.” This sentiment encapsulates the transformative potential of girls’ education, not only for individual empowerment but also for fostering more peaceful, equitable, and prosperous societies across the African continent. The event served as a platform to examine how legislative reforms can translate this vision into reality.
Harmonizing Laws and Eliminating Discrimination
A central theme emerging from the discussions was the need to harmonize national legal frameworks across African countries to align with regional and international commitments on girls’ rights and education. This includes adhering to conventions such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which obligates states parties to ensure equal access to education for girls and women. The Pan-African Parliament was identified as playing a crucial role in this harmonization process, facilitating the development and enforcement of consistent education laws throughout the continent. According to the African Union, this unified approach is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring that girls across Africa benefit from the same legal protections and educational opportunities. African Union
Equally important is the elimination of discriminatory laws that actively impede girls’ access to education. A particularly pressing issue is the prevalence of child marriage, which often forces girls to drop out of school and limits their future prospects. Legislative reforms aimed at raising the legal age of marriage and criminalizing forced marriages are crucial steps towards protecting girls’ rights and ensuring their continued education. Participants also highlighted the need to address laws that restrict equal access to schooling based on gender, marital status, or other discriminatory factors. The establishment of child- and girl-friendly courts in several African nations was showcased as a promising practice, providing a more sensitive and supportive legal environment for young survivors of violence and discrimination. These courts are designed to ensure that justice systems respond appropriately to the unique needs of vulnerable girls.
Strengthening Representation and Securing Financing
Beyond legal reforms, the event underscored the importance of strengthening women’s representation in education decision-making spaces. From school governance structures to university leadership, ensuring that women have a voice in shaping educational policies and practices is essential for creating systems that are responsive to their needs and priorities. Participants emphasized the need to actively promote women’s leadership in education and provide them with the necessary training and support to effectively advocate for girls’ education. This includes addressing gender biases in recruitment and promotion processes and creating mentorship opportunities for aspiring female leaders.
Securing sustainable financing for girls’ education was identified as another critical priority. While increased investment in education is essential, it is equally important to ensure that these resources are allocated equitably and effectively. Gender-responsive budgeting, which involves analyzing the impact of budgetary decisions on girls and women, is a key tool for ensuring that resources are targeted towards programs and initiatives that promote gender equality in education. Mr. Yougbare Boubakar, Programme Officer at AU/CIEFFA, presented the AU Campaign, #AfricaEducatesHer, as a vehicle for Member States to advocate for progressive legislative frameworks and increased financial commitments to girls’ and women’s education. AU CIEFFA
The Role of AU/CIEFFA and FAWE
The African Union International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA), established in 2004, plays a pivotal role in promoting girls’ and women’s education across the continent. As a specialized institution of the African Union, AU/CIEFFA conducts research, provides technical assistance, and advocates for policy changes to improve access to quality education for girls and women. The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), a pan-African organization founded in 1992, complements AU/CIEFFA’s efforts by working directly with governments, schools, and communities to implement programs that empower girls and women through education. The collaboration between AU/CIEFFA and FAWE, exemplified by this recent event, demonstrates a concerted effort to address the challenges facing girls’ education in Africa.
AU/CIEFFA’s operate extends beyond policy advocacy to include practical initiatives such as the 1st Pan-African Conference on Girls’ and Women’s Education, held in July 2024. This conference brought together stakeholders from across the continent to share best practices and develop strategies for accelerating progress towards gender equality in education. UNESCO IICBA FAWE, meanwhile, focuses on strengthening the capacity of teachers and school leaders to create gender-responsive learning environments. Their initiatives include training programs, mentorship schemes, and the development of educational materials that promote gender equality.
Looking Ahead: Continued Collaboration and Implementation
The event concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration among African governments, civil society organizations, and international partners to harmonize legislative frameworks and effectively implement policies that protect and advance girls’ education. Participants recognized that achieving gender equality in education requires a sustained and coordinated effort, involving all stakeholders. The momentum generated by the CSW70 side event is expected to translate into concrete actions at the national and regional levels, with a focus on enacting and enforcing laws that protect girls’ rights, increasing investment in girls’ education, and strengthening women’s leadership in the education sector.
Notable delegates in attendance included Mrs. Simone Yankey, AU/CIEFFA Coordinator; Hon. Mirriam Chonya, Member of the Pan-African Parliament (Women’s Caucus, Zambia); Doris Mpomou, UN Women Special Representative to the African Union; and Kossi Mensah Tsenou, Senior Communications Officer at FAWE. Their presence underscored the high-level commitment to addressing the challenges facing girls’ education in Africa.
The next key checkpoint in this ongoing effort will be the continued implementation of the #AfricaEducatesHer campaign and the monitoring of progress towards achieving the goals outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Regular reporting on the status of girls’ education across the continent will be essential for tracking progress and identifying areas where further action is needed. The commitment to ensuring that every girl in Africa has the opportunity to receive a quality education remains a top priority for the African Union and its partners.
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