Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa: Transforming…

The virtual event aims to offer an intergenerational space for dialogue on how to ensure inclusive and quality education for all girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting quality education and gender equality, with the inclusion of an environmental dimension. It will also explore the Education for Sustainable Development (SDG Target 4.7) cross-disciplinary and systemic approach linking gender equality to specific gendered challenges, such as the vulnerability of women and girls to hazards induced by climate change.  

Education is one of the most powerful enablers and multipliers facilitating the overall implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is a crucial factor to ensuring human development and full civic, social and economic empowerment for all. It fosters gender equality, human rights, enhances economic growth, and contributes to more peaceful, sustainable and just societies. Education is also instrumental to improving our relationship with others and with our planet.

Over the past two decades, educational development in Sub-Saharan Africa has been characterized notably by substantial gains in girls' access to schooling at all levels. However, particularly for adolescent girls, sizeable challenges remain in accessing inclusive and equitable quality education. Women and girls with disabilities are even more disproportionately impacted in their access to education.

The event is organized by the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, in cooperation with UNESCO, UNICEF, UN Women, and cosponsored by the Permanent Mission of Niger to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of Kenya to the United Nations, the Global Partnership for Education, the United Nations Foundation, and the Office of the Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel.