ADDIS ABABA, 24 February 2026 – On the margins of the 39th African Union (AU) Heads of StateSummit, the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) convened a High-Level Meeting including aClosed Session and the Ninth Edition of the EWA Breakfast in Addis Ababa on 13 February 2026.These strategic gatherings served as a vital milestone as the Network prepares for its landmark 10thanniversary in 2027. The High-Level Meetings brought together AWLN Pioneers, Elders, representativesof Member States, and partners committed to advancing women’s leadership across the continent.In addition, AWLN co-organized the Fireside Conversation with Africa’s Female Presidents, featuringH.E. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, President of the Republic of Namibia, and H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,AWLN Patron and Former President of the Republic of Liberia, creating a strategic platform to advancedialogue on women’s leadership and the WPS-climate-water security nexus at the continental level.Under the leadership of H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia and AWLN Patron, themeeting participants reflected on the origins and celebrated the progress of a movement that has grownfrom a visionary concept into a continental powerhouse, advancing women’s leadership with nationalchapters in almost 40 African countries. The session was supported by high-level representatives fromthe African Union and several United Nations agencies, reflecting the close and unique institutionalanchoring of AWLN within both institutions.Participants also reflected on a rapidly changing global context marked by rising geopolitical tensionsand a concerning shift toward military security over human security. AWLN Elders highlighted thepersistent resource-driven conflicts that limit Africa’s realization of its potential, alongside a globalpushback against gender equality. Against this backdrop, the meeting reaffirmed AWLN’s vision toensure women’s meaningful participation in governance and peace processes, asserting that Africanwomen must not remain on the periphery of critical decisions driving the continent as we build theAfrica we want.Representatives from partner organizations, including the Private Sector, shared strategic deliverables for2026; with Germany, the first and long-term partner, recommitting and expressing its appreciation for thestrong partnership. The AU, represented by the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security,Permanent Observer of the AU to the UN, Director of AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS)Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate, and the Director of the AU Women, Gender and YouthDirectorate (WGYD), reiterated their commitment to the impactful partnership.Several UN partners, including the Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Director of RegionalProgramme for Africa of UNDP, UN Population Fund, and UN Office of the Special Adviser on Africa
(OSAA) expressed continued strong support, with UNDP conveying its continued commitment toresource the Africa Facility for Women in Political Leadership and initiatives under it, including theLeadership Academy based in Kigali. Furthermore, the AWLN Elders committed to continuing theiradvocacy for the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (AU-CEVAWG) until ithas the 15 ratifications needed for entry into force.The High-Level Elders Meeting took place following the High-Level Breakfast, held in partnership withthe Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) earlier in the day. Together with AWLN, EWA convenedleaders from various sectors and institutions to discuss concrete actions to advance women’s leadershipin the context of the AU Theme of the Year 2026 – “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and SafeSanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”On behalf of AWLN Leadership, Co-Convener Mme Bineta Diop expressed her deep appreciation to allthe partners, highlighting the need for collaborations in continuing and strengthening the movement toadvance women’s leadership across Africa.Call to ActionAWLN calls upon all Member States and partners to invest in women’s leadership as a transformativeforce for peace and prosperity and a strategic response to conflict and inequality. The Network continuesto advance towards the expansion of AWLN chapters to all AU Member States. It remains committed toworking with a broad range of partners to ensure that every African woman and girl has the opportunityto lead, decide, and thrive.For further information or to engage with us, please contact the AWLN Secretariat atadmin@awlnafrica.net or communication@awlnafrica.net.Twitter: @AWLNetwork | Instagram: @officialawlnetwork | Facebook: African Women leadersNetwork | Website: http://awlnafrica.net | Linkedin : African Women Leaders Network