It was all systems go for FAWE as H.E. President Macky SALL of Senegal led a high level African governments’ delegation in launching FAWE’s new Strategic Plan 2019-2023 at the 36th ordinary Specialized Committee of Ten (C10) meeting on Science Education and Technology held on 8th February 2020 at the African Union (AU) headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Flanked by the African Union Human Resources Science and Technology Commissioner H.E. Prof. Sarah Anyang Agbor, and government representatives from C10 countries (Senegal, South Sudan, Chad, Kenya, Malawi, Tunisia, Egypt, Gabon, Sierra Leonne and Mauritius) the President congratulated FAWE for her “development approach of blending the needs-based approach with a rights based approach so as to mitigate challenges faced by girls’ and women’s education as well as empowering them to be self-reliant.”

The President further reaffirmed his commitment to mobilize Member States starting with the C10 countries, education stakeholders and development partners to support FAWE’s cause and contribute to its funding basket.

On her part, Prof. Agbor expressed delight on FAWE’s achievements over the years and vowed to become an associate member of FAWE Africa.

The event culminated to a luncheon at the Intercontinental Hotel, Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The luncheon was graced by the United Nations Special Envoy on Right to Education Dr. Koumba Barry who called for unrestricted funding to enable FAWE adequately respond to the ever emerging issues on girls’ education.

“I do understand the need for specific accountability, but at the same time I do know that more restrictions do not get us the desired results. Unrestricted funding enables organizations to plan ahead, boost efficiency and retain talented staff,” noted Dr. Barry.

FAWE Africa Chair Professor Naana Opoku- Agyemang seized the opportunity to thank the African Union especially AUHRST, UN bodies and development partners that have supported FAWE’s cause for over two decades. She observed that an increased support to FAWE will enable the organization “remain a learning catalyst, become a facilitator of change processes and an innovator of sustainable, gender responsive interventions in the continent.”

Whilst highlighting FAWE’s key focus areas under the new plan, FAWE Africa’s Executive Director Martha R. L. Muhwezi noted that the organization would commit to “ linking of out of school children  including those in conflict situations with TVET opportunities, advocating for gender responsiveness in education sector plans and increasing the participation of women and girls in STEM” among others.

The event also saw some of FAWE key partners namely: Dubai Cares, Global Partnership for Education, ADEA share their experiences on working with FAWE and pledged their continuous support towards girls and women education in the continent.

FAWE’s new Strategic Plan 2019-2023 is centered on an adaptive and rights based approach that position’s the organization to remain responsive to contextual changes, address emerging issues, mitigate challenges faced in girls education, promote the rights and welfare of girls and women in adversity and empower them to be self-reliant and productive members of their societies.

Download  the English Version of the Strategic Plan 2019-20123