Achievements of the AU Gender pre-summits and perspectives for greater impact ALREADY 10 YEARS !

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT The AU Gender Pre Summit laid its foundation on Consultative Meeting of the Civil society Organization (GIMAC) – Until 2008, only 1 Gender Pre Summit is organized and led by the GIMAC Based on Recommendations 95 of the High Level Panel of AU which called WGDD to establish a Steering Committee to manage future AU Gender Pre-Summits & Recommendation 66 required that the reports of the Pre-Summit be channelled through the African Union Women’s Committee (AUWC) to the Assembly. In January 2009- first AU Gender Pre-Summit Addis –Ababa, 24th January 2009-led by AUC WGDD - ahead of the AU January Summit held from 26 January to 3rd February 2009

The AU GPS WITHOUT INCLUSIVITY From 2009 to 2015 AUGPS more concentrated on the WGDD Programs and targeting only CSOs Deliverable more focused on the AU theme inline with gender mainstreaming Ignorance of the AUGPS by the AUC Departments and MS Consequences ↔ Non inclusivity and ownership of the AUGPS

A MILESTONE MARKING THE BEGINNING OF A NEW FACE OF THE AUGPS IN 2014 Under the leadership of the former AUC Chairperson – Dr Nkosazana Zuma –A turning point on the AUGPS Decision to involve of AU Ministers of gender &Women’s Affairs in the AUGPS Outcome document of this AUGPS : A communique (1st in the history of the4 AUGPS) Same year : Adoption of the AU Theme for 2015 on Women’s empowerment towards Agenda 2063

A 1st AU GPS ‘s with Ministers of gender & CSOs A SPECIAL AU GPS January 2015: A special AU GPS in January from Meeting called “ Stakeholder’s Consultation on 2015 21- 23 Jan 2015” A 1st AU GPS ‘s with Ministers of gender & CSOs Outcome document “ Communique to prepare the AU HOSG’s declaration on the AU theme for 2015” Key recommendations/Way forward came up from the Communique to prepare the July Summit in 2015- Sandton-SA on Women and Agenda 2063

Inclusivity of key stakeholders in the AUGPS KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Inclusivity of key stakeholders in the AUGPS Ownership of the AUGP’s project and outcomes Great technical and financial support of the AUGPS A gathering beyond the AU theme in line with gender mainstreaming

Lack of talking space for CSOs EXISTING CHALLENGES Lack of talking space for CSOs Absence of key targets & Grassroots people Lack of men’s, religious and traditionals’inclusivity in the debate Is Periode/Date of the AUGPS appropriate to facilitate its holding? Type/format of the AUGPS not progressing Wayforward of the Outcome document ….. A non-exhaustive list of challenges

WAYFORWARD/FUTUR OF THE AUGPS The importance to redesign it as a CSO’s platform bringing their voice to the AU theme in line with gender ‘s perspective A Need to decentralize the organization of the AU GPS at national/regional levels The importance to disseminate the outcomes of the GPS Make the AUGPS more opened than a women’s gathering Evaluate the implemementation of previous outcomes of the GPS before the beginning of the next GPS Organize regional GPS before the continental …. List non exhaustive of recommendations

CELEBRATE THE 10th ANNIVERSARY Beyond a Meeting , Celebrate it friendly! Media role to be strengthened to disseminate the event and its milestones Testimonies of women and men, youth impacts of the GPS in their lives The impact of the GPS in the AUC ‘work National/regional celebrations jointly CSO’s-Ministries Documenting the outcomes documents of the last 10 years ..list non exhaustive

THANK YOU Merci!