The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) participated in the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York, USA, reaffirming its leadership as a regional voice for gender-responsive and inclusive education across Africa. FAWE’s delegation, led by Executive Director Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Senior Advocacy and Partnerships Officer Catherine Asego, and Senior Programmes Officer Emily Gumba, engaged in several high-level dialogues, policy forums, and partnership meetings aimed at advancing the organization’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan.

FAWE’s participation sought to influence the global education and development agenda, showcase scalable and evidence-based models for girls’ education, and strengthen strategic partnerships and resource mobilization efforts. This engagement came at a pivotal time, as the world approaches the final stretch toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and intensifies calls for increased investment in education.

During UNGA, FAWE actively participated in side events aligned with Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026–2035). Key engagements included the African Union Colloquium on Diaspora Engagement, which explored reparations, justice, and inclusive development. FAWE emphasized the role of gender-transformative education as a pathway to justice and social transformation, reinforcing the link between education, equity, and empowerment.

At the UNGEI Global Meeting on Gender Transformative Education, FAWE co-led a session on developing gender-transformative education indicators, sharing its regional expertise in gender-responsive pedagogy, teacher professional development, and policy advocacy. The organization also participated in the Accelerator for Shifting Gender Norms in Education Roundtable, highlighting the importance of data, evidence, and shared narratives in reshaping gender norms within education systems.

In partnership discussions, FAWE met with UNGEI, UNICEF, Echidna Giving, ADEA, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to explore new avenues for collaboration, funding, and policy influence. FAWE also joined global conversations on innovation and sustainability, including sessions hosted by UNFPA, Girls Not Brides, and Equimundo, where the focus centered on ending child marriage, promoting positive masculinities, and scaling locally driven solutions for inclusive development.

FAWE’s engagement at UNGA 80 strengthened its visibility as a trusted African partner and thought leader in advancing gender equality and girls’ education. Key outcomes include renewed collaborations with global education networks, reinforced partnerships with African and international stakeholders, and a deepened commitment to integrating digital skills, innovation, and gender-transformative leadership into its programming.

Looking ahead, FAWE will leverage the momentum from UNGA to:

  • Amplify advocacy for equitable and sustainable education financing.

  • Scale partnerships through upcoming platforms such as the ADEA Triennale and the International Girls’ Conference 2026.

  • Expand innovation-driven initiatives that empower girls as leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

Through these efforts, FAWE continues to champion a transformative education movement where Africa’s girls not only learn, but lead.