The FAWE Regional Secretariat (FAWE RS) proudly participated in the 41st Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Pre-Summit CSOs Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the African Union and Member States. The 41st session was held at Haile Grand Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 6th to 8th, 2025. This landmark event brought together civil society organizations, gender advocates, policymakers, and youth leaders to drive transformative change across Africa.

The FAWE RS delegation also actively participated in the Youth Advocacy session under the theme: Youth for Reparative Justice: Building a Future of Equality and Solidarity. The sessions were a powerful platform for young leaders to engage in critical discussions, challenge stereotypes, and advocate for justice and equity.

Key GIMAC discussions centered around:

  • A Dialogue on Justice, Equality, and Healing
  • Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
  • Debunking False Narratives & Reclaiming Our History
  • An Intersectional Analysis of the Lived Realities of Young Women in Africa
  • Climate Justice for Africa
  • Empowering Youth to Craft Strong Advocacy Messaging in the African Context and the AU 2025 Theme
  • A Youth Role-Playing Session on Reparations
  • Debunking False Narratives & Reclaiming Our History

One of the most compelling sessions focused on reclaiming Africa’s narrative. Questions like “Did David Livingstone discover Victoria Falls?”, “Has Africa always been under men’s leadership?”, and “Is Africa poor?” were challenged. Led by Waruguru Kiai and Clelia Kakunze from the African Union Commission (AUC), these discussions aimed to empower youth to take control of Africa’s story, demand reparations, and address colonial legacies.

Advancing Reparations for African Women & Girls

The 41st GIMAC Pre-Summit Meeting was a critical space for advocating gender-sensitive reparations. Women and girls of African descent have long been affected by historical injustices, and this event aimed to strategize approaches to economic empowerment, inclusive policies, and transitional justice mechanisms.

The objectives included:
  • Advocate for a gender-sensitive African Union (AU) Unified Strategy on Reparations
  • Strengthen partnerships between civil society, International bodies, and women’s organizations
    Campaign for a global reparations fund focused on gender equity
  • Promote transitional justice mechanisms to address historical and gender-based injustices
  • Increase public awareness through media campaigns and educational initiatives

Expected Outcomes:

  • A clear roadmap for integrating gender perspectives into the global reparations agenda
  •  Strengthened collaborations between regional and International partners
  •  Amplified advocacy for gender-responsive reparations policies
  •  Mobilization of resources to support reparations initiatives

GIMAC Breakout Sessions

The GIMAC breakout sessions tackled some of the most pressing issues affecting women and girls in Africa:

  • Economic Justice & Reparations: Ensuring fair access to resources, addressing illicit financial flows, and advocating for debt cancellation.
  • Food, Energy & Climate Justice: Building resilience and self-sufficiency in the face of climate change.
  • Governance, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) & Modern-Day Slavery: Addressing labor exploitation, human trafficking, and violence against women and girls.

FAWE at GIMAC: Decolonizing Education & Advancing Universal Health

On Day 3 of the summit, FAWE led a panel discussion on Decolonizing Education & Advancing Universal Health Promise for African Women. The session explored the intersections of education and health for African women and girls, featuring esteemed panelists:

  • Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, FAWE Africa
  • Mr. Desalegn Endale, Senior Education Officer, Refugees and Returnees Services
  • Anthony Mveyange, Director of Programs, APHRC
  • Sam Norgha, Executive, World Vision
  • Boubakar Yougbare, Programs Officer, African Union CIEFFA

The 41st GIMAC Pre-Summit Meeting is more than just a conference—it’s a movement. Together, we are shaping a future of Africa that respects justice, gender equity, and economic empowerment. FAWE RS is honored to be part of this transformative journey, and we invite you to join us in raising our voices, influencing policies, and driving real change.