PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
16th October, 2010

THE AFRICAN WOMEN’S DECADE- A ROAD MAP FOR BIGGER DREAMS

The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) will hold its 5th Programming Conference and General Assembly from 16th- 18th October 2010, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nairobi under the theme: ‘The African Women’s Decade- A Road Map for Bigger Dreams’. The conference which brings together over 120 women rights activities from across Africa.

Every three years, FEMNET in accordance with its Constitution, convenes a three days Programming Conference and General Assembly (PC/GA) for its members and partners where delegates engage on topical issues in Africa that are affecting the gender equality agenda and women’s advancement as part of the development goals for Africa. Based on the key outcomes from the deliberations the delegates identify priorities and recommend actions that FEMNET would spearhead in Africa in the next three years.

The FEMNET 5th PC/GA will come at a very historic moment in Africa, a day just after the official launch of the African Women’s Decade on October 15, 2010. The African Women’s Decade (2010-2020) will be launched by, the African Union, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya and civil society organizations. The decade is meant to provide African countries with the opportunity to reflect on progress made in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. It will also provide an opportunity for African governments to take concrete action by ensuring that their commitments to regional and international instruments aimed promoting gender equality in Africa are realized during the next ten years.

“FEMNET hopes that as Kenya prepares to host the continental launch of the AU African Women’s Decade, it will ratify the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa and serve as an example for other African countries that have also not yet ratified the protocol. Currently 28 Countries have ratified the Protocol. During the period of the African Women’s Decade It is very important that African governments go beyond ratification but that they fully deliver on their commitments to gender equality” said Ms. Norah Matovu-Winyi FEMNET Executive Director.

More information will be provided in the Media Kit.

If you would like to schedule an interview with FEMNET Executive Director or any of the speakers at the Programming Conference Please call: Carlyn Hambuba, FEMNET Communication Officer: +254725766932/ + 254 20 2712971/2; 20 2341516/7 (Wireless) or email: [email][email protected]