The adoption of the strategy took place during the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) meeting which attracted over 10,000 delegates from all 193 member states of the United Nations in New York City — and ended at the weekend.
The strategy is an instrument aimed at eliminating the constraints hindering gender equality and the empowerment of women, the minister said on Sunday.
Aligned to the AU Agenda 2063, the agenda will generate momentum in ensuring gender equality by getting organs of the African Union and its partners to implement the recommendations, Kekana said.
“We believe that the strategy is a comprehensive articulation of the AU Agenda 2063 Goal 6 which seeks to ensure that we have an Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential offered by African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children,” she said.
“As the Pan African Women’s Organisation, we understand that strategy can only be a successful strategy if it is inclusive and speaks to people with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community,” Kekana said.
“In the final analysis, what we know for sure is that this document lays down the path to gender equality and women empowerment for future generations. This is important because the future is African, black and young,” she said.
The spectrum of violence affecting women across Africa includes domestic violence, marital and non-marital rape, female genital mutilation (FGM), intimidation and additional threats to women’s personal security in periods of war and conflict, according to the policy.