Mohammed Shosanya
Dr. Olumide A. Ajayi, Executive Director/CEO of the Africa Leadership Foundation, has been selected by the African Union (AU) to serve on its Reference Group.
This position was advanced in line with Goal 17 of Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063 at the 37th Summit of the AU, held earlier in the year with the objective of addressing the high preponderance of Gender Based Violence perpetrated majorly against women in Africa.
According to the AU, the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, including sexual violence in conflict situations and harmful practices will help to bridge the inequality gap between men and women.
The group, which is expected to provide advisory and technical support in drafting and negotiating a Convention for Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (C-EVAWG) among member states, comprises leading legal and gender experts on the continent.
The reference group will provide expertise on the text of the draft convention, including addressing contestations, finding consensus and ensuring compliance/alignment with the AU agreement language on issues under discussion.
According to a statement,Dr Ajayi alongside other well meaning experts in the development space across Africa will be steering this group. The group is expected to function until the adoption of the Convention by the Assembly of Heads of States.
Dr. Ajayi is a Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) advocate and expert with pedigree. As Advisor and Consultant to a number of African countries, UN Agencies and inter-governmental Organisations, he has devoted a great amount of professional expertise in the design of performance and accountability framework for some of Africa’s women rights instrument including the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA) and the Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa generally known as the Maputo Protocol.
He will bring to the Reference Group his wealth of experience in gender, development, and inclusive governance.
The reference group is the first of its kind in the global setting and the United Nations (UN) is very keen on supporting its emergence.
