Delivering on the Potential of Africa’s Young women.

The African Union Youth Day was held between October 31st 2014 to November 1st 2014 at the African Union Commission Headquarters Building in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

I was selected as one of the Young Change Agent(s) within the continent to mark the day and to partake in the youth consultation geared towards drafting a roadmap for a yearlong programme.

The African Youth Day (AYD) is a day set aside every year to promote the increased recognition of youth as key agents for social change, economic growth and sustainable development in all facets of African society. It is an occasion to celebrate the youth on the continent, opportunity to contribute and channel youth motivation, energy and creativity towards the achievement.

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The Theme of the African Youth Day 2014 was: Delivering on the potential of Africa’s Young Women. The Theme is a prelude to the African Union 2015 summit Theme: “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063″

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We were divide into five groups according to thematic areas for an in-depth brainstorming and analysis to further propose a yearlong calendar. The Thematic areas are:

Sustainable Agriculture for socio-economic Development
Young Women as Agents of peace and democratic governance
Promoting sustainable livelihood through employment and Entrepreneurship
Young Women Health
Keeping girls in school beyond primary level

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We had a fruitful deliberation in our individual groups and we all proposed a yearlong roadmap around the dedicated theme.

African Youth Day 2014 - Lanre Dahunsi African Youth Day 2014 – Lanre Dahunsi

One of the highlights of the African Youth Day 2014 was the presentation of Certificate and presentation of the Essay organized by the African Union Commission. The first prize winner was Jacqueline Kaija of Uganda.

Jacqueline Kaija of Uganda been presentation the certificate for winning the African Union Essay Competition 2014

I was super elated when I discovered that the First Prize Winner of the African Union Youth Day Essay Competition said that she discovered the Essay Contest on the opportunitiesforafricans.com portal.

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Visiting Ethiopia, the African Union Commission Building Headquarters was a very inspiring experience, meeting young change agents from around the continent from Algeria to Rwanda, Zimbabwe to Chad, Lesotho to Malawi was invigorating and thought provoking.

Honourable Minister of Culture ,Tourism & National Orientation,Chief Edem Duke with Linda Iheme and Lanre Dahunsi.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Thanks to the African Union Commission for the opportunity, fellow delegates and to you all, thanks for the opportunity to make a difference through this portal.

Best Regards, All the Best…Yes We Can

Lanre Dahunsi
Team Lead,Opportunitiesforafricans.com

Application Deadline: 20^th of October 2014

Women account for about half of Africa’s talent base. As a group, they have been marginalised and their economic, social, political and environmental contributions go in large part unrealised, underutilized and undervalued. Poverty and HIV/AIDS still carry a female face. Women’ education is often sacrifice because of varioussocio-economic and cultural reasons and women are among the most affected byconflicts and violence. Empowering their participation in the community and the workforce greatly increases economic growth, reduces poverty, enhances societal well-being, and helps ensure sustainable development in all countries.

It is against this background that the African Union Heads of State and Government have dedicated next year, 2015, as the “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063”. As a prelude to these celebrations, the African Union Commission is celebrating this year’s Africa Youth Day under the theme: Delivering on the Potential of Africa’s Young women.

Celebrated on the 1^st of November, The African Youth Day aims to promote an increased recognition of youth as key agents for social change and economic growth in all aspects of African society. The event also aims to contribute and channel the youth motivation, energy and idealism to reinforce the efforts towards the achievement of a sustainable development in the Africa.

To open up this discourse, the African Union Commission invites young Africans to submit an essay of not more than 1500 words, which identifies and makes the case for policy measures to support the empowerment of young women. Entries are encouraged to be evidence-based, drawing on experiences of the writer or other individuals or institutions.

Finalists will be invited to celebrate the African Youth Day at the African Union Commission in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia and engage with Ministers of Youth from across the continent. Winning essay shall be published and presented at various high level policy meetings in 2015.

Competition Rules:

The call is open from the 1^st of October 2014 to the 20^th of October 2014
The competition is open to young people (18-35) from African Union Member States.
Only one essay is allowed per entrant.
Essays shouldbe submitted in any of the AU languages i.e. English, French, Portuguese andArabic
Photographs and other illustrations that enhance the article are welcome, although these must be original to the author and be copyright free.
Submission should be made to [email protected]

Delivering on the Potential of Africa’s Young women.

Report: The African Union Youth Day 2014 – Delivering on the potential of Africa’s Young Women

2014 African Union Commissions’ Africa Youth Day Essay Contest.