PAP VP Dos Passos describes Economic empowerment of women as critical to sustainable development

The Pan-African Parliament’s celebrations of the Pan-African Women’s Day, led by third Vice President Hon. Lucia Dos Passos, were held today at the National Assembly of Cabo Verde.

On the occasion of an engagement with parliamentarians, government officials, civil society organisations, diplomatic corps and immigrant communities, PAP’s Vice President underscored that African Union member states have demonstrated political will and commitment to promoting gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights.

She further highlighted how steps have been taken throughout the last decade to elevate the status of women through legal and constitutional means, institutional gender mechanisms as well as creating conducive environments for women to realize their potential.

According to Hon. Dos Passos, the focus of the PAP as a next step is to ensure that financial inclusion of women is prioritised and regarded as a pathway to sustainable development.

“African women and girls must be fully integrated into all spheres of human endeavor, not only as beneficiaries of equal opportunities, but as powerful shapers of social and economic development. As Africa enters the new African Women’s Decade on Financial and Economic Inclusion of African Women 2020-2030, AU Member States have to take appropriate action to fully and efficiently implement their commitments to advance the welfare of women in the continent and consolidate the gains realized during the 2010-2020. The PAP will be monitoring the realization of these commitments,” said Hon. Dos Passos.

The event addressed by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Cabo Verde as well as the Minister of Family Affairs, Inclusion and Social development, centered around the theme: ‘Towards the African Women’s Decade: Realizing Women’s Human Capital through accelerated social and economic development, addressing the scourge of violence, food insecurity and good nutrition on the African continent’.

Source: Jeffrey Onganga, Media & Communications Unit, Pan-African Parliament.