The Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) has launched a campaign in Africa to address gender disparity and empower women and girls in education. Nigeria has joined this initiative to promote equality and break down barriers.
The campaign, known as “#WeAreEqual,” aims to eliminate obstacles hindering the full potential of girls and women in Africa, especially in education. OAFLAD’s goal is to close the gender gap in key areas such as women’s health, girls’ education, women’s economic empowerment, and gender-based violence prevention.
African First Ladies have been instructed to implement the campaign in their countries by July 2024, focusing on addressing gender equity issues and supporting education and women’s development. Their responsibilities include rallying communities and policymakers, as well as launching projects aligned with the campaign pillars.
OAFLAD’s campaign aims to combat discrimination against women and girls in Africa to meet SDGs and the African Union Strategy for Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment. The year-long campaign will utilize international and regional events to advocate for gender equality, reduce poverty, foster sustainable development, and enhance governance.
Dr. Nardos Berhanu, the Executive Secretary of OAFLAD, highlighted the challenges hindering complete gender equality in Africa despite progress in closing education and gender gaps. The campaign will focus on addressing gender disparities in education as no country can thrive when half of its population faces obstacles.
In Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the #WeAreEqual Campaign, emphasizing education as a catalyst for change with the theme “Education as a Powerful Tool for Change: No Girl Left Behind.” The campaign targets gender disparities in education to ensure both boys and girls have equal access to quality education and complete their schooling. The President of Nigeria,
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, emphasized the importance of educating and empowering girls to create inclusive education opportunities for all children. He commended African First Ladies for advancing gender equality and sought their support in promoting inclusive education across Africa. The Federal Government reintroduced the Alternative High School for Girls in Nigeria to provide a second chance for girls who dropped out of school.
The initiative aims to eliminate structural barriers hindering women’s progress in education and promote national development. Senator Tinubu highlighted the significance of education in empowering girls and stressed the need for policies supporting women’s rights and economic empowerment. The campaign prioritizes education while acknowledging the importance of health, tackling gender-based violence, and promoting economic empowerment.
