FAWE’s Commitment to the AU
Decade of Education
Speech by the Executive Director, FAWE
Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ministers, Esteemed Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour to join you this morning at this historic moment — the Launch of the AU Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development (2025–2034).
We commend the African Union Commission and its partners for anchoring this launch within the framework of the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED 2025).
As stated by the speakers before me, teachers are the key drivers of the educational transformation we seek as a Continent. This Decade gives us a unique opportunity to translate commitments into concrete, lasting change. It is not just a strategic framework — it is a call to action to ensure that every child, especially every girl, learns, thrives, and leads.
FAWE’s Alignment with the AU Decade and PACTED Objectives
For nearly three decades, FAWE has worked to advance girls’ access, retention, quality learning, and leadership across the continent. The priorities set out in this conference and in the Decade of Education align with our mission.
We believe that teacher development and gender equality must move hand in hand. Teachers shape learners’ identities, aspirations, and life trajectories. When teachers are empowered, especially women teachers, they become powerful agents of change for girls in classrooms and communities.
As FAWE, we reiterate our commitment to
1. Champion gender-responsive teacher education by supporting the integration of gender equality and inclusive pedagogy into pre-service and in-service training.
2. Support teacher recognition and leadership, ensuring that women teachers are visible and valued through participation in the Teacher Community of Practice and the AU Teachers’ Awards.
3. Partner with Member States to align teacher policies and plans with gendertransformative approaches, including policy reforms, and capacity strengthening of our
teachers, working closely with the Ministries of Education, teacher unions, and all the relevant stakeholders present in this room.
4. Promote evidence and accountability by tracking the impact of teacher reforms on girls’ learning outcomes and documenting promising practices across the continent.
If we are to transform Africa’s education systems in this Decade, we must transform the experiences of those who teach. We must build systems that support, recognize, and empower teachers — especially women teachers — to lead.
Let us ensure that gender equity is not an add-on, but a core pillar of teacher development and education transformation. Let us work together to make this Decade a turning point where no girl is left behind because her teachers lacked the support, training, or recognition they deserve.
FAWE stands ready to walk this journey with the African Union, Member States, and partners — bringing our networks, expertise, and unwavering commitment to girls’ education.
Thank you.