Events
2nd Dialogue-Seminar on Elections and Democracy in Africa – Inclusive Governance: Amplifying Women’s Leadership in African Electoral and Democratic Processes
From
By invitation
The African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU PAPS) and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) are jointly organizing the 2nd Dialogue-Seminar on Elections and Democracy in Africa.
Titled “Inclusive Governance: Amplifying Women’s Leadership in African Electoral and Democratic Processes”, this second edition will explore how to further integrate and strengthen women’s leadership within Africa’s democratic institutions and electoral processes. While important strides have been made through legal reforms, gender quotas, and advocacy, women continue to face a range of structural, cultural, and socio-economic challenges that limit their full engagement in political life.
Organized at the margins of the 4th Training of the AU Elections Observers, the Dialogue-Seminar provides a platform for African Union officials, civil society representatives, media professionals, and experts to share experiences and innovative approaches for promoting inclusive governance.
These discussions will delve into the critical interplay of robust legal frameworks, sustained political commitment, effective regional institutional support, and empowered grassroots movements to cultivate enabling environments that ensure women's substantive participation in democratic processes.
Opening Session
Agenda
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08h45 – 09h15 |
Welcome Coffee |
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09h15 – 09h25 |
Introductory Remarks Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South |
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09h25 – 09h35 |
Keynote Speech Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security |
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09h35 – 09h45 |
Special Address Justice Effie Owuor, Member of the Panel of the Wise |
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09h45 – 09h55 |
AU – PCNS Memorandum of Understanding Signature |
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09h55 – 10h00 |
Group Photo |
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10h00 – 11h15 |
Plenary Session 1 Setting the Stage: Women and Young Women's Political Participation in Africa – Current Landscape and Challenges This session will provide an overview of the current status of women and young women's political participation in Africa. It will explore the key challenges and barriers they face in engaging in electoral processes and governance frameworks.
Moderator: Patience Chiradza, Director, Governance and Conflict Prevention, AU Commission Speakers: Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Josiane Darwatoye, Member, African Union WiseYouth Ilwad Elmi Mohamed, Head, Youth Development and Engagement Division, African Union Commission Chido Mpemba, Special Envoy of the African Union for Youth Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of UNOAU |
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11h15 – 11h45 |
Coffee Break |
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11h45 – 13h00 |
Plenary Session 2 Electoral Empowerment – Women and Young Women as Agents of Change in African Elections This session will examine the role of women and young women in African elections, showcasing successful initiatives and addressing barriers to their participation as voters, candidates, and election observers.
Moderator: Mounia Boucetta, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Speakers: Amina Bouayach, President, National Human Rights Council of Morocco Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on Women, Peace and Security Mtendere Gondwe, Legal Officer, African Union Commission Awa Ndiaye Seck, Former Special Representative of UN Women Olachi S. Ndukwe, Youth activist |
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13h00 – 14h30 |
Lunch |
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14h30 – 15h45 |
Plenary Session 3 Inclusive Governance: Women and Young Women Shaping Democratic Frameworks This session will broaden the discussion to encompass women and young women's role in shaping broader governance frameworks. It will explore how their participation can contribute to more inclusive and responsive democratic institutions. This session will focus on developing actionable strategies for building sustainable pathways for women and young women's political leadership in Africa.
Moderator: Solomon Dersso, Founding Director, AMANI Africa Speakers: William Awinador-Kanyirige, Special Advisor, Office of the AU Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security Abiola Idowu-Ojo, Executive Secretary of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Libakiso Matlho, Executive Secretary, AU Center for Post-Conflict, Reconstruction and Development Mahamadou Nimaga, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mali Myriem Ouchen Noussairi, Representative of UN-Women Morocco |
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15h45 – 16h00 |
Coffee Break |
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16h00 – 16h20 |
Presentation of the “Call for Action to African Leaders to enhance the role of women and young women in politics” |
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16h20 – 16h30 |
Closing Remarks Patience Chiradza, Director, Governance and Conflict Prevention, African Union Commission Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South |
