Karen Ondwasi

Chairperson

GIMAC Young Women Network

Ms. Karen Ondwasi is a young leader who very passionate about advocating for gender equality and the rights of girls and Young Women. She is the First Chair of the Gender is My Agenda (GIMAC) Young Women Network in Africa which was created to recognize and amplify young women’s voices and advocacy efforts across the Continent. She is also the coordinator of the She Leads project whose goals is to increase sustained influence of girls and young women on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions. Gender Equality is her Agenda!

Event Schedule

DAY 1

18 July 2023

Start Time	End Time	Session	Description	Action
12:00 pm EEST	01:30 pm EEST	Maputo@20: Bridging the Gap Between Policies and People Plenary KCC Auditorium	Watch the recording here A high-level accountability session with thought leaders that spotlights Africa’s priorities and actions taken to advance Gender Equality and Read More Watch the recording here A high-level accountability session with thought leaders that spotlights Africa’s priorities and actions taken to advance Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment in Africa, in light of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa turning 20 years in 2023. The session will be anchored on the 3Ps Framework of the African Union Commission’s Women, Gender and Youth Directorate; Policies, Partnerships and People with Promising Practices. The storyline will focus on how to connect African Union Policies to the African people through impactful Afro-centered partnerships, while highlighting promising practices at different levels. Opening Session: Moderator: Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, AUC Ms. Karen Ondwasi, Former Chairperson, Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Youth Network Ms. Malado Kaba, Director, AfDB Gender of, Women and Civil Society Directorate H.E Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission (AUC) Keynote Address: H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Republic of Liberia and Patron of the Women Leader Network (AWLN) Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Dr. Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, Former AU Goodwill Ambassador on Ending Child Marriage King Mansour Maiguizo, Male Traditional Leader, Niger Ms. Natsnet Ghebrebrhan, Violence Against Women (VAW) Prevention Coordinator, Raising Voices, Uganda Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion Ms. Malado Kaba, Director, AfDB Gender of, Women and Civil Society Directorate Ms. Prudence Ngwenya, Director, AUC Women Gender and Youth Directorate Ms. Christine Baingana, Financial Services Executive CEO at Urwego Bank Beyond The Bridge: Promising Practices in Africa Moderator: Ms. Nathalie Gahunga, Ag. Divison Manager, Gender and Women Empowerment Division, AfDB, AHGC Dr. Fatoumata Haidara, Director of Sahel, Plan International H.E. Nardos Bekele Thomas, CEO, AUDA-NEPAD H.E. Monica Geingos, First Lady of Namibia and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) H.E. Mrs. Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi Read Less Speakers Prudence Ngwenya Director, Women, Gender and Youth Directorate African Union Commission Fatoumata Haidara Sahel Director Plan International in West and Central Africa Nardos Bekele-Thomas Chief Executive Officer AUDA-NEPAD Karen Ondwasi Chairperson GIMAC Young Women Network H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Founder Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development (EJS Center) Natsnet Ghebrebrhan Violence Against Women (VAW) Prevention Director Raising Voices Monica Geingos First Lady of the Republic of Namibia and President of the Organization of African First Ladies (OAFLAD)