AU pledges to stand by women

Takunda Maodza recently in South Africa
THE African Union 25th Ordinary Session ended in South Africa on Monday with Heads of State and Government pledging to implement flagship projects to spur economic growth in Africa including the Continental Free Trade Area, a High Speed Train, the African Centre for Disease Control and creation of a Pan African University.

President Mugabe, who returned home early yesterday after a gruelling work schedule, chaired the summit, held at the Sandton International Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The AU chair described the summit as fruitful and memorable in his closing remarks.

“In pursuit of the objectives of our theme for this year, ‘Year of Women Empowerment and Development Towards Agenda 2063’, and cognisant of the importance and centrality of women in the socio-economic development of Africa, we have re-affirmed the need to fast track gender parity and women empowerment in all socio-economic and political endeavours,” said President Mugabe.

“We resolved and committed ourselves to abolish all ills based on cultural and religious practices, including early child marriages and gender-based violence.”