African Union Honours Women of the Union, Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusion and Dignity

At the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, International Women’s Day 2026 became a moment of reflection, recognition and renewed commitment as the African Union Commission (AUC), through its Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), celebrated the women who sustain the institution’s work at every level.

Held under the theme “Honouring Women of the African Union: Voices, Work and Community,” the event recognised the wide-ranging contributions of women across the Commission, from leadership and policy development to administration, security, cleaning and other essential services that keep the Union functioning daily.

Speaking during the commemoration, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, described himself as “a son raised by a strong African woman” and paid tribute to the women working across the institution. He emphasised that the work of women within the Commission, whether visible or carried out behind the scenes, remains central to the African Union’s mission.

“Every woman within this Institution, regardless of her grade or role, must feel valued, supported, and protected. Your commitment, talent, and leadership are indispensable to our collective mission. Your well-being, professional growth, and aspirations matter greatly to this Institution,” the Chairperson stated.

An interactive dialogue formed a central part of the celebration, providing space for reflection on institutional priorities aligned with the AU’s gender equality commitments. Discussions focused on the review of maternity and parental leave policies, the upcoming establishment of an African Union daycare centre to support working families, and efforts to guarantee equitable access to health services for all staff regardless of contract status.

The Chairperson also reaffirmed the Commission’s zero tolerance policy toward harassment and discrimination against women, stressing the AU’s responsibility to maintain a workplace environment defined by dignity, safety and respect.

The AUC Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Ambassador Selma Haddadi, used the occasion to honour the pioneering women whose leadership helped shape the continental body. She paid tribute to figures such as Fatia Bettahar, Phoebe Asiyo, Fathia Nkrumah and Albertina Sisulu, acknowledging the foundation they laid for women within African institutions today.

Ambassador Haddadi noted that the African Union was among the first institutions in its category to formally institutionalise gender parity in leadership structures. Women currently make up 37 per cent of the Commission’s workforce, including 38 per cent of senior leadership positions.

She stressed that recognition must extend beyond leadership ranks to include the women whose roles sustain the daily operations of the institution, from young professionals and translators to gardeners, security personnel and cleaners. Their work, she noted, remains essential to the Union’s functioning.

Drawing on the African philosophy of Ubuntu, Ambassador Haddadi called for deeper solidarity across generations and professional ranks among women within the institution, while also emphasising the importance of male allyship in advancing gender equality.

“The solidarity we want for women across this continent must begin inside the walls of our institution. We cannot credibly champion women’s rights and justice across fifty-five member states if we do not first practice justice, dignity and care for one another within these walls. This endeavour is incomplete unless joined and genuinely supported by our brothers, at all levels,” she said.

The commemoration concluded as both a celebration and a call to action, reinforcing the African Union’s commitment to building an institution where women are supported, protected and empowered to lead.

Across Africa, where women continue to drive progress in communities, governments and institutions, such commitments carry significance beyond a single day of celebration. For a continent whose modern institutions are still young and evolving, the advancement of women within leadership and governance remains one of the most powerful measures of Africa’s collective future.

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