World YWCA participates in UN Women Consultative Conference on Youth To Advance Gender Equality in Africa
The World YWCA, represented by Kuribachew Kebede, the Public Relations and Communication Officer of the YWCA of Ethiopia, participated in the UN WOMEN consultative conference held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 30-31 May, 2011. The purpose of the conference was to give input on the developments of UN WOMEN’s first Strategic Plan.
The consultation, under the theme: “Fostering Young Women’s Leadership: Strategies for accelerating Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Africa” was particularly enlightening as it provided equal opportunities for all participants to actively partake in the sessions.
Mrs. Kebede introduced the audience to the overall mission and engagement of the YWCA movement, and contributed constructive feedback and input to UN WOMEN’s Strategic Plan on building synergies. She also offered additional suggestions which the World YWCA felt could be helpful to UN programs related to education, employment and Sexual Rights and Health Rights (SRHR). Ms Kebede pointed out that although it was other UN agencies which operated in these areas, UN Women had a strong advocacy and gender mainstreaming role to play, as well as an advisory role to the Secretary General.
Aureliene Agbenonci, the UN Resident Coordinator, pointed out that the problem in most African countries arose from lack of leadership. He stressed that age and gender factors should not be taken as criteria to be a good leader and he also called for participants to bring concrete and fresh ideas in order to develop UN WOMEN’s Strategic Plan.
During the group sessions the key issues discussed for inclusion in the Strategic Plan were, key priorities, new key allies and target groups, the role of young people and the role of UN Women and its stakeholders, as well as new strategies, and technological tools.
