African Union (AU) launched the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Strategy Empowering Women Across Africa

In 2019, the African Union (AU) launched the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Strategy for 2018–2028 during its February Summit. This ambitious plan is designed to transform lives by addressing the barriers that limit women’s full participation in economic, political, and social spheres. Building on its earlier 2009 gender policy, the strategy adopts an inclusive, multisectoral approach to dismantle structural inequities and amplify women’s voices across Africa and beyond.

At its core, GEWE is a call to action. It seeks to strengthen women’s agency, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed through robust legislation and adequate financing. The strategy serves as a roadmap to create impactful programs, driving real results for women and girls both within Africa and in its global diaspora.

Four Pillars of Change

The GEWE strategy is built on four foundational pillars, each targeting a specific aspect of women’s empowerment.

Opportunities, Outcomes, and e-Tech Dividends - recognizes that access to quality and productive resources is essential for women's economic empowerment. This strategy proposes bold initiatives, such as a continental campaign to combat illiteracy and paving the way for women and girls to thrive in tech-driven spaces, with the help of innovation hubs and startups.

Dignity, Security, and Resilience - Women’s safety and well-being take center stage here. This strategy tackles harmful practices like early child marriage and female genital mutilation while addressing violence against women and girls. This strategy aims to uphold women’s rights to dignity and security.

 Effective Laws, Policies, and Institutions - This pillar introduces the "All for Maputo Protocol Programme," a groundbreaking initiative to ensure the universal adoption and enforcement of the Maputo Protocol. Strengthening gender institutions is also prioritized to advance the agenda.

Leadership, Voice, and Visibility - To ensure women are heard, this pillar emphasizes equal representation in decision-making roles. The strategy promotes rewriting Africa’s narrative to include women’s contributions, as echoed by former AUC Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma: “If we don’t put women in history books, they get edited out of history.” The strategy is to publish resources like a report on women’s rights and a booklet highlighting women who fought in Africa’s liberation struggles.

Operationalizing the Vision

With its bold vision and actionable framework, the GEWE strategy is not just a plan—it’s a movement to redefine gender equality and empower African women to take their rightful place in shaping the continent’s future.