African Jesuits and Collaborators at UNGA 78: Spotlight On Catholic Efforts for Education and Gender Parity in Africa
The Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE) in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and African Union International Centre for Girl and Women Education (AU-CIEFFA) earlier this week successfully hosted a compelling event on Gender Responsive and Transformative Education in New York, as part of the ongoing 78th UN SDG Summit.
Speaking during the opening event, Fr. Charles Chilufya, Chairman of, Bakhita Partnership for Education reflected on the progress made thus far, by the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78) which represents the mid-point towards the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline.
He noted that “However, many nations remain significantly behind, or even off-course, in meeting targets for gender equality and educational access. In fact, the UN Women and UN DESA’s 2023 gender snapshot report unveiled just few days ago, revealed that if current trends are to go by, an estimated 110 million girls and young women across the world will be out of school in 2030, while the SDG indicators aimed at women’s equality will not be met.”
Chilufya urged key stakeholders present, including UN Women, AU CIEFFA, the Conrad Hilton Foundation, Catholic Religious Sisters, among others, to unify their perspectives and actions on transforming education in Africa adding that such collective effort, he believes, can create a catalytic impact on progress.
In her statement, Sr. Jane Wakahiu, Associate Vice President of the Hilton Foundation and Head of Catholic Sisters, emphasized the setbacks in gender and education progress in Africa due to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for girls.
“In addressing this challenge, the Conrad Hilton Foundation has committed millions towards enhancing both access and quality of education for African girls. Among the foundation’s supported initiatives, the Bakhita Partnership for Education stands out. Through this project, over 300 Catholic Sisters have championed the rights of girls in five countries, directly aiding more than 4, 500 vulnerable girls,” she noted.
Mrs. Simone Yankey, The Acting Director, International Centre for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA) under the African Union Commission, reiterated that the AU CIEFFA was in its 3rd Strategic implementation cycle underpinned by 4 focus areas namely; Gender Responsive Education Frameworks, Curriculum reform and Teacher Education, Science, Technology, Engineering & Arts Skills Development, and Education in Emergence and humanitarian context.
She added that” Beyond the high-level meetings with leadership of AU member states on affirmative action on youth and women, we also work with traditional leaders who play a key role at grass root level. She further announced that AU Theme for Year 2024 will be devoted to Education.”
A standout moment of the event came when Ms. Brenda Karimi, a survivor of abuse from Kenya, recounted her journey of turning her traumatic experience into a force for positive change.
Emphasizing the urgency to address the countless unreported sexual abuse incidents, which she likened to a ‘silent epidemic,’ she highlighted their profound impact on victims’ futures.
Today, Karimi leads the Smart Girl Mentorship Programme, mentoring girls throughout Africa.
About two hundred globally acclaimed experts in education and various leaders of the Catholic religious sisters and the Jesuit Network in Africa and beyond attended the event both in person and online.
The event was designed to highlight the substantial contribution of Catholic education in expediting the realization of sustainable development goals in Africa, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), while elevating the narratives, experiences, and insights of girls from underserved and marginalized communities in Africa.
Other guest speakers at the event included Brighton Kaoma, UN SDS Network Youth Global Director, Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Chief of the Economic Empowerment section at UN Women, and Sr. Dr. Rosemary Nyirumbe, Ph.D., Director of St. Monica’s Girls’ Tailoring Center, Uganda.
The event recognized the significant role the Catholic religious sisters have played in education in Africa, particularly in providing access to education for marginalized communities and promoting the empowerment of women.
There was consensus amongst delegates that the Catholic church had established numerous schools, colleges, and vocational training centers across the continent, often in remote and underserved areas, where these sisters have dedicated themselves to teaching various subjects, from basic literacy all the way to vocational training, thus equipping students with practical skills that can help them secure employment and improve their livelihoods.
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