UN Deputy Secretary General marks the Launch of African Women's Decade- 19 October 2010

The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Asha-Rose Migiro joined Presidents Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, civil society organizations and women rights activists at the African Union’s (AU) Ministerial launch of the African Women’s Decade.

The theme of the decade is ‘Grassroots approach to gender equality and women’s empowerment.’

The African Women’s Decade (AWD) (2010-2020) is aimed at accelerating achievement of gender equality in Africa. It is an initiative being driven by the AU, following recommendations made at an Extraordinary Meeting of African Ministers in charge of Gender and Women’s Affairs held in December 2008 and the Executive Council meeting of the African Union held in January 2009.
The launch was in Nairobi, Kenya and was officiated over by President Kibaki, AU Chairperson, Bingu wa Mutharika and Chairperson of the AU’s Commission, Jean Ping.

The activities of the day started with a procession from Freedom Centre through the heavy traffic in Nairobi to the Kenyatta International Conference Centre. Thousands of people were in attendance.

President Kibaki noted that the AWD should mark the beginning of an effective, focused and re-energized programme of empowering women.

The AU Chairperson and President of Malawi, Bingu wa Mutharika, reminded the audience that many frameworks and commitments had been made in the past but still women had yet to be fully emancipated. He added that the AWD should see real positive change in the lives of women, and that women should be involved in all decision-making processes.

In her remarks, UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro stressed that empowering women was a moral imperative and a question of fundamental rights. She applauded the growing acceptance of the need to integrate initiatives and to focus on investments that promise the best returns – particularly those that simultaneously advanced health, education, agriculture, entrepreneurship and sustainable energy.

She challenged policy makers to make women equal partners in the development and well-being of Africa, and to engage them in working towards the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). She said, “Gender equality and women’s empowerment are not add-ons – they are integral to development. Furthermore, they will have a multiplier effect on sustainable growth, and provide resilience to future challenges.”

She went on to underline, “Eradicating Africa’s crippling poverty means providing better social protection for women and girls who make up the majority of the poor.” Against this backdrop, she spoke about the recent establishment of UN Women, the new United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women, and reiterated the Organization’s commitment to promoting the interests of women and girls throughout Africa, for the benefit of all Africans. 

She concluded that: “This is the decade for results … action backed by resources, policies and services.”

The gathering was also addressed by the Vice Presidents of Zimbabwe and the Gambia, Kenya’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Development, as well as Kenya’s First Lady.

The Deputy Secretary-General later toured the construction site for UNON's new offices accompanied by the Director General and Executive Director of UNEP, Mr. Achim Steiner and senior UNON Officials.