Toyin Saraki is set to join UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Heads of State, representatives from the private sector and senior women leaders at the African Union High-Level Meeting on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. Stakeholders are gathering at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to define actions to accelerate the implementation of impactful delivery of gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives.

Ahead of the High-Level Meeting, Mrs Saraki was lauded by the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security, Mme Bineta Diop, for her commitment and leadership in the advancement of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

Mrs Saraki, who was integral to the conception and launch of the Nigeria Chapter of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) in July 2019, commented:

“I am delighted that the High-Level Meeting will afford us the opportunity to officially launch the African Women Leadership Fund (AWLF) led by the AUC and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) as part of the flagship initiatives of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN).”

“I will also join the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) for their Business Breakfast and Roundtable on Combating Hepatitis in Africa, which will launch a political declaration to combat hepatitis. It is critical that we are able to create this effective platform for leaders across governments and the private sector to collaborate and utilise opportunities to eliminate hepatitis in Africa.”

“The broader theme of the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union - “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development” – demonstrates that peace and stability are the foundations of progress. There can never be health for all, or proper political representation for women, without peace.”