Addis Ababa: The African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) is set to convene a Virtual Stakeholders Consultative Validation Workshop tomorrow, 29th April 2025. This workshop aims to gather stakeholder input for the development of an inclusive and actionable Implementation Plan for the Continental Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender in Aquatic Biodiversity Conservation and Environmental Management.
According to African Press Organization, the initiative follows the endorsement of the continental gender strategy by the African Union Heads of State and Government in February 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This workshop marks a critical next step in converting political commitments into tangible, measurable actions to enhance gender equity in environmental governance.
The primary goals of the workshop are to validate and refine the draft Implementation Plan, boost institutional capacity for gender mainstreaming, promote equitable resource access, increase women's representation in environmental governance, develop gender-specific data collection systems, and foster inclusive communication. Expected outcomes include a validated plan, strengthened partnerships, and social transformations toward equitable environmental governance.
The strategy further seeks to ensure equitable access to natural resources and economic opportunities, promote inclusive governance through increased women's participation in decision-making, establish a robust, evidence-based gender data system, and transform social norms via participatory and multi-channel communication campaigns. Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of rigorous, transparent, and gender-sensitive monitoring and evaluation.
Drawing on pilot experiences from C´te d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Malawi, the plan aligns with global, continental, and regional frameworks such as the SDGs, CEDAW, CBD, ABES, GEWE Strategy, and Agenda 2063. It adopts a Results-Based Management (RBM) approach to ensure commitments lead to measurable progress.
The workshop is structured around three main sessions: an opening session with remarks from AU-IBAR leadership, followed by statements from key partners, including the African Women Fish Processors and Traders Network (AWFISHNET). The Technical Sessions will feature expert presentations that provide an overview of the project, the African Blue Economy Strategy, policy frameworks, and insights into strengthening gender dimensions in aquatic ecosystem conservation. The second technical session will present the Draft Implementation Plan, followed by an open discussion for stakeholder feedback enrichment.
The closing session will include reflections from AWFISHNET and final remarks by AU-IBAR, officially marking the validation of the Implementation Plan.