Message by AUC Chairperson at the Pan-African Women’s Day

MESSAGE BY H.E. MAHMOUD ALI YOUSSOUF,

CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION,

ON THE PAN-AFRICAN WOMEN'S DAY AND THE 64TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

PAN-AFRICAN WOMEN'S ORGANISATION (PAWO)

31 July 2026

Today, Africa celebrates the women who shaped our past, sustain our present and are building our future.

On the occasion of Pan-African Women's Day and the 64th Anniversary of the Pan-African Women's Organisation (PAWO), I extend my warmest greetings to all African women and girls, wherever they may be.

This day is an opportunity to honour the courage, leadership and resilience of generations of African women whose contribution has been essential to our struggles for liberation, to peacebuilding, to development and to the advancement of our continent.

This year's celebration is held under the theme:

"Women's Action for Safe Sanitation, Peaceful Communities and Better Livelihoods."

This theme resonates strongly with the African Union's 2026 Theme of the Year on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation.

Water and sanitation are far more than development issues. They are fundamental to health, education, dignity, economic opportunity and peace. Too often, women and girls bear the greatest burden when these basic services are unavailable. Ensuring universal access to safe water and sanitation is therefore essential to achieving gender equality and sustainable development across Africa.

As we celebrate PAWO's sixty-four years of service to our continent, we also pay tribute to the generations of African women who have organized, mobilized and led transformative change in their communities. Their legacy continues to inspire us to build an Africa where every woman and every girl can live in safety, dignity and prosperity.

This year also marks another important milestone.

In February 2025, our Heads of State and Government adopted the African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls-the first continental treaty dedicated exclusively to eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

I warmly congratulate The Gambia for becoming the first Member State to ratify this historic Convention. I encourage all Member States to expedite their own ratification processes so that this landmark instrument can enter into force as soon as possible and become an effective tool for protecting millions of African women and girls.

As part of our commitment to preserving Africa's collective memory, we aspire to establish a Gallery of African Women Leaders at the African Union Headquarters. This initiative reflects our determination to ensure that the achievements of Africa's women leaders are recognised, celebrated and passed on to future generations.

It is especially fitting that the inaugural portrait honours Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa's first democratically elected female President. Through her remarkable leadership and lifelong commitment to peace, democracy, good governance and women's empowerment, she has inspired generations across our continent.

By honouring her today, we honour all African women-past and present-whose courage, vision and determination continue to shape Africa's destiny.

As we celebrate this important day, the African Union reaffirms its unwavering commitment to gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, and the full implementation of Agenda 2063.

Together with our Member States, PAWO, Regional Economic Communities, civil society, the private sector and our partners, we will continue working to ensure that every African woman and every African girl enjoys equal rights, equal opportunities and equal dignity.

Because the Africa we want cannot be built without the full participation and leadership of Africa's women.

To all the women and girls of our continent, I wish you a happy Pan-African Women's Day.

Thank you.