Gambia participates in 1st AU Pan-African conference on girls', women's education

The Gambia has participated in the first-ever AU Pan-African Conference on Girls’ and Women’s Education, organized by AU CIEFFA. The conference provided a platform for key stakeholders and advocates to convene and address the critical issues of gender equality, education, and social protection in Africa.

During her speech, Minister Sey emphasized the importance of the conference’s theme, “Prioritizing Girls and Women’s Education: A Strategy for Increased Access to Inclusive, Lifelong, Quality, and Relevant Learning in Africa,” aligning it with the 2024 African Union theme “Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century.” She highlighted The Gambia’s efforts in ratifying and domesticating international instruments promoting girls’ and women’s rights to education, including the Safe Schools Declaration.

Minister Sey also detailed The Gambia’s leadership roles in continental initiatives such as the African Union Peace and Security Council and the Africa Platform for Children Affected by Armed Conflict (APCAAC). She underscored the outcomes of the “Banjul Process,” which advocates for prioritizing education and protection for children in conflict situations, and called for multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve inclusive, lifelong quality education across Africa.

Her participation underscores The Gambia’s commitment to promoting equitable access to quality education and skills development for girls and women, especially in humanitarian situations, and strengthening advocacy for gender-transformative policies across the continent.