Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 29 September 2025
Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) witnessed the inauguration of the first Egumeni Dialogue on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, held from 29–30 September 2025 at the African Union Commission (AUC) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The dialogue, organized by the African Union Women, Gender, and Youth Directorate (WGYD), brought together government representatives, regional organizations, feminist movements, traditional and youth leaders, and development partners to deliberate on advancing gender equality and reshaping norms to accelerate women’s agency and empowerment across Africa.
The inaugural dialogue, themed “Shaping Equitable Gender Norms: Advancing Women’s Agency and Opportunities in Africa,” served as a continental platform to address regressive gender norms that continue to limit women’s leadership, education, economic participation, and decision-making opportunities. The event reaffirmed the continent’s collective commitment to dismantling social and structural barriers that hinder gender equality and inclusive development.
The opening ceremony featured remarks from AU and partner representatives including the World Bank, German Embassy to the AU, Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO), UN Women, and the AUC Chairperson’s Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security. Key sessions explored themes such as dignity as the foundation of women’s rights, transforming gender norms, women’s economic empowerment, and access to education and health for women and girls.
“The Egumeni Dialogue reflects the AU’s renewed commitment to transforming gender norms through intergenerational and intersectional engagement,” said Ruth Mkutumula. “It is a significant milestone that ensures women with disabilities are recognized as essential contributors to Africa’s equality and transformation agenda.”
DIWA joined other civil society organizations and feminist networks in advocating for disability inclusion to be embedded in AU policy processes.
“Women with disabilities must be at the table when shaping gender policies and dialogues,”
The two-day dialogue concluded with a call for stronger partnerships among governments, AU organs, and civil society to address harmful social norms, expand women’s economic participation, and accelerate implementation of the AU Gender Strategy (2023–2033) and Agenda 2063. Participants adopted an Outcome Statement reaffirming shared commitment to advancing women’s rights and dismantling discriminatory structures across the continent.
DIWA’s presence at the Egumeni Dialogue strengthened its growing engagement with the African Union, building on ongoing advocacy through the AU Committee on Gender and Disability, the Pan-African Parliament, and the campaign for ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP).
The Egumeni Dialogue is expected to become an annual AU platform for reflection, policy dialogue, and collaboration on gender equality and women’s empowerment. It provides a critical space for policymakers, civil society, and activists, including women with disabilities, to shape equitable gender norms and drive transformative leadership across Africa.
