7th African regional conference on women ministerial conference on the decade review of the implementation of the Dakar and Beijing platforms for action: opening statement by K.Y. Amoako executive secretary of the economic commission for Africa

Abstract

Opening statement by K.Y. Amoako Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) at the 7th African Regional Conference on Women Ministerial Conference on the Decade Review of the Implementation of the Dakar and Beijing Platforms for Action. Mr. Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that, the gender movement gained momentum after every conference. Altogether they created a climate of legitimacy, for gender movements and gender reform, which otherwise would have taken much longer to achieve. Since Beijing, momentum has slowed at the global level. But in Africa at least, the regional picture is very different. Particularly at the high political level, we have seen real advances and a gathering excitement about what can be achieved. It is good to note that the background papers and national reports provided for this meeting clearly show that real progress and much solid work is being accomplished to open new opportunities and provide additional protections for girls and women in Africa. The growth in achievements across this continent provides a broader base of real experience to compare and to provide peer learning.