FAWE played a leading role at the 42nd Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting and Conference, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring that the voices of African girls and young women shape continental policy priorities. Convened ahead of the African Union Summit under the 2026 theme, “Advancing Gender-Responsive Water and Sanitation Policies for Sustainable Development in Africa,” the gathering brought together civil society organisations, youth advocates, policymakers, and development partners to strengthen Africa’s collective gender equality agenda.
This year’s theme spotlighted a critical yet often overlooked reality: access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) is fundamental not only to public health, but also to education, dignity, and gender equality. For millions of girls across Africa, inadequate WASH facilities remain a major barrier to school attendance, participation, and academic success. FAWE’s engagement reinforced the urgent need to integrate gender-responsive WASH policies into national and continental education frameworks.
The Pre-Summit opened with the 15th GIMAC Youth Advocacy Meeting, where young leaders contributed directly to shaping Africa’s gender equality priorities. FAWE underscored the importance of ensuring girls are not merely beneficiaries of policies, but active contributors to the decisions that shape their futures. Drawing on evidence from its programmes—including gender-responsive pedagogy, safe learning environments, and empowerment initiatives—FAWE highlighted the direct link between WASH access and improved educational outcomes.
At the main conference, FAWE hosted a dynamic breakout session on Gender, Education, and WASH, providing a platform to advance integrated solutions that support girls’ wellbeing and academic success. The session featured a distinguished panel including Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director of FAWE Africa; Mr. Sam Norgah, Executive Director of World Vision International AU Liaison Office; and Ms. Amen Biniyam, Climate and WASH Champion at the Graça Machel Trust.
Panellists emphasized that clean water, safe sanitation, and menstrual health support are essential enablers of educational equity. They called for strengthened gender- and WASH-disaggregated data systems, enhanced cross-ministerial coordination, and integrated, climate-resilient WASH education within school curricula. Central to the recommendations was amplifying youth and girls’ voices in policy formulation and accountability processes.
FAWE’s leadership extended to high-level engagements, including the AU-ECOSOCC Strategic Breakfast Meeting, where Dr. Martha Muhwezi contributed to advancing the African Union’s 2025 Theme of the Year on Reparatory Justice and Racial Healing. She emphasized that building inclusive, gender-responsive education systems is essential to addressing historical inequalities and restoring dignity and opportunity for African girls.
Through its sustained engagement with African Union processes and strategic partnerships, FAWE continues to champion policies that ensure safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environments. Its participation at the 42nd GIMAC Conference reinforced a shared continental vision: one where every girl can learn, thrive, and lead in dignity.