Gender equality high on agenda at the African Parliamentary Union meeting

The 77th session of the Executive Committee of African Parliamentary Union is currently underway in Kigali, where delegates from 44 African countries are gathering to discuss key issues affecting the continent. One of the focal points of this meeting has been gender equality, with discussions revolving around the role of women in African economies, their contribution to fighting COVID-19, and the challenges they face, including sexual harassment and violence. Hon. Sheila Adwoa Bartels, Member of Parliament for the Ablekuma North Constituency in Ghana, highlighted the importance of empowering women to achieve a sustainable future and called for collaborative efforts to address gender disparities. The meeting emphasized the need for actionable policies that prioritize women's participation in decision-making processes and ensure their representation in parliaments. Bartels emphasized the significance of intentional actions, such as allocating a certain percentage of parliamentary seats to women and promoting gender balance in leadership positions. She underscored that meaningful change requires moving beyond policy discussions to tangible actions that lead to real impact on the ground. The session also focused on learning from each other's experiences, with Bartels emphasizing the importance of smaller focus groups to address specific challenges and exchange best practices. She highlighted the need for deeper conversations and practical steps to address sector-specific issues, such as sanitation, defense, gender equality, and economic integration. Bartels emphasized the importance of removing barriers, such as language, culture, and currency differences, to facilitate inter-African trade and foster a sense of unity across the continent. The integration of the African continent was discussed in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area framework, with Bartels stressing the importance of setting clear goals, aligning stakeholders' interests, and ensuring commitment from individual countries to drive continental integration forward. She emphasized the need for effective leadership and team collaboration to translate the shared vision into concrete results. Bartels' vision for Africa is one of unity and collaboration, where countries work together towards a common goal, leveraging the diversity and strengths of each nation to propel the continent towards a prosperous and integrated future. As the discussions at the African Parliamentary Union meeting continue, the focus on gender equality and African integration remains paramount, signaling a commitment to addressing key challenges and driving positive change across the continent.