10th AU CIEFFA High-Level Dialogue Calls for Stronger Integration of Nutrition

Policymakers, education leaders, development partners, youth representatives, and gender equality advocates from across Africa convened for the 10th African Union International Centre for Girls' and Women's Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA) High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Gender Equality in Education, under the theme "Integrating Nutrition and WASH to Advance Girls' and Women's Education in Africa." Held on 02nd July, 2026, the Dialogue was one of the flagship sessions of the 2nd AU Pan African Conference on Girls and Women's Education (AU/PANCOGEd2).

The Dialogue provided a strategic platform to examine how nutrition, school safety, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services can contribute to improving girls' access to education, retention, learning outcomes, and overall well-being across the continent.

Moderated by H.E. Mercy Faith Lakisa, Honourable Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs of Uganda, the session brought together ministers, African Union officials, development partners, United Nations agencies, and young people to discuss practical solutions for creating enabling learning environments for girls and women.

The Dialogue opened with a presentation on progress made since the first African Union Pan-African Conference on Girls' and Women's Education (AU PANCOGEd 1) by Mrs. Simone Yankey, Coordinator of AU CIEFFA. Highlighting achievements, challenges, and emerging priorities, Mrs. Yankey underscored the need for sustained investments, accountability mechanisms, and stronger multi-sectoral partnerships to address the interconnected barriers affecting girls' education.

The Ministerial Roundtable brought together ministers and other stakeholders to explore how governments and partners can better integrate nutrition, safety, and WASH interventions into education systems. Panelists included Ministers in charge of education and Gender from Chad, Sierra Leone, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Burundi, Botswana, officials from the AUC and UN agencies.

Discussions highlighted the critical role that access to nutritious meals, menstrual hygiene management, safe sanitation facilities, clean water, and gender-responsive school environments play in reducing absenteeism, improving learning outcomes, and promoting girls' empowerment.

Speaking during the roundtable, participants emphasised that education interventions cannot be separated from broader social and health considerations.

Youth representative Rebecca Niyubahwe brought the voice of young people into the discussion, further demonstrating how vital educating girls.

Throughout the session, speakers reiterated the importance of aligning national actions with continental priorities, including the African Union's Agenda 2063 and commitments to girls' and women's empowerment.

The Dialogue concluded with remarks from Dr. Laila Gad, UNICEF Representative to the African Union and UNECA, and H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), African Union Commission.

The outcomes of the 10th AU CIEFFA High-Level Dialogue are expected to inform policy actions, strengthen partnerships, and support continental efforts to ensure that every girl and woman in Africa has access to quality, inclusive, and transformative education.

Learn more about AU PANCOGEd 2: https://aupancoged.org/

For further inquires, please contact:

Azwe Success Barbara Viof, Communications Officer | African Union International Centre for Girls & Women's Education in Africa | African Union Commission WhatsApp: +226 64 90 44 95 | E-mail: [email protected]| Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso