Pan African Women’s Day

(Press Release)--The African Union chairman Jean Ping, on the commemoration of the 2008 Pan African Women’s Day, conveyed his special greetings and congratulations to all women of Africa.

"On the commemoration of the 2008 Pan African Women’s Day, I wish to convey my special greetings to you all on this memorable day and wish to take this opportunity to salute and congratulate you, great women of Africa.

This day traces its beginning way back to 1962 when African Women freedom fighters made their maiden visit to the then Prime Minister of Tanganyika, the late Mwalimu Julius Kabarage Nyerere, to pledge their support to the unborn Organization of the African Unity (OAU), whose birth the following year demonstrated African leaders’ vision and great determination to free the continent from foreign occupation and domination.

The welcome reception the African women received from one of the founding fathers of the OAU was the first act of gender conciouness of the Organization of the African Unity, an act which laid solid grounds for women’s interventions in the armed struggle mounted then by the OAU, the fore runner of the African Union (AU). The Dar- el- salaam meeting gave birth of the Pan African Women Organization (PAWO). Since that time PAWO has continued to occupy an important space in the OAU and now in the AU.

Distinguished African Women

I recall that it was PAWO that mobilized women freedom fighters during the liberation struggle thus augumenting the OAU efforts in obtaining freedom for most of its Member States until full liberation was won. It was through PAWO’ that the recognition of the African Women’s contribution continued to be highlighted within the OAU, until the African Union’s Women’s Committee on Peace was created in the latter part of the century. Since the tranformation of the OAU to the African Union (AU) the Union has continued to create space for the wider participation of other women’s organizations and played a very important part in recognizing the Pan African women’s movement. Today women networks such as yours, and many more from West to East, South to North are now part of this heritage.

Today, the commemoration of the Pan African Women’s Day in 53 countries of Africa, is a tribute to African Women’s dynamism who have always come together in the spirit of unity, solidarity and cohesion to demonstrate great leadership and courage even in the phase of great challenges. African women are highly reputed for their commitment to justice, freedom, peace, self determination, hard work and above all , the improvement of the living standards of their families, children and grand children.

Distinguished African Women

As you know, the African Union has continued to provide global leadership on the quest for gender equality and women’s empowerment. Like its predecessor, the AU has adopted some key commitments at the Heads of States and Government level, which demonstrates this commitment. I am extremely proud to state that the AU Heads of States of AU did in a span of 3 years make major decisions towards gender equality. In particular, they adopted two protocols specifically to address gender, issues, namely the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa adopted in 2003 in Maputo at the AU Heads of States Summit; and Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa adopted recently at the AU Heads of States Summit in Addis Ababa in July 2004. In adopting the Constitutive Act of the African Union in 2000, the Heads of States not only recognized the key role women have played in development in general, but in Article 4(1) of the Act, they adopted the Gender Parity Principle and continue to monitor its implementation in the AU Commission, organs of the Union, Regional Economic Communities as well in the NEPAD programme.

Distinguished African Women

The African Union is indeed proud to enlist all of you among its partners in the futherance of its efforts to promote women emancipation on the continent, beyond political boundaries. As you know post independent Africa has been characterised by widespread poverty, illiteracy, wars, conflict and civil strive which has resulted in the killing, maimimg and displacement of millions of people. It has also led to deterioration in the health of our populations particularly in this era of HIV/AIDS pandemic. Similarly, they have been exposed to many internal and external shocks which have subjected our people to new vulnerabilites in the absence of social safety nets. It is for this reason that the AU, governments and CSOs have to work together.

It is my sincere conviction that this year’s Pan-African Women’s Day is yet another reminder of the role African women have played and will continue to play in shaping the agenda of the African Union. I wish to take this opportunity, therefore, to assure you of my personal support and that of my Bureau, through the Women Gender and Development Directorate, to your struggle.

I wish you all a memorable Pan-African Women’s Day and assure you that the AU will continue to be you partner, ally and friend on the road to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Long live African Women, long live the African Union.

Thank You"

The full press release: Women_s_Day.doc

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