The African Union HQ in Addis Ababa Ethiopia was host to the 4th African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment discussions began on October 29th between young people and traditional leaders. This was hosted by United Nations Women Africa

Paramount Chief Messi Koroma (Sierra Leone), Chief Madzimawe (Zambia), Princess Martha Seeiso (Lesotho) and Chief Siansali (Zimbabwe) deliberating with young people from across Africa on patriarchal norms that perpetuate inequality#GenerationEqualityAfrica #Beijing25 pic.twitter.com/T2oz2PWJ6d

— UN Women Africa (@unwomenafrica) October 29, 2019

This discussions included talks about child marriages, FGM, patriarchy, Gender Norms, positive Masculinity. On day 1 the traditional leaders who attended where HM Queen Sekhothali of Manala-Ndebele Kingdom, HM Paramount Chief Messi Koroma from Sierra Leone, HM Chief Madzimawe of Ngoni, Zambia, Chief Siansali of Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe.

If i am able to hold together my family, surely i am able to hold together a community & a country. We need to do away with traditions and cultures that discriminate against women & girls ~ Princess Martha Seeiso from Lesotho#GenerationEqualityAfrica #Beijing25 pic.twitter.com/9uxga4BksL

— UN Women Africa (@unwomenafrica) October 29, 2019

During the discussions both groups were able to ask and explain various steps put in place to help the evolution of the youths and changes of certain analogies and thinking states in their various kingdoms and as well across the continent. The leaders also explained the measures put in place to adapt traditional and customary laws to fit the evolving and changing world around Gender Equality and parity.

Paramount Chief Messi Koroma (Sierra Leone), Chief Madzimawe (Zambia), Princess Martha Seeiso (Lesotho) and Chief Siansali (Zimbabwe) deliberating with young people from across Africa on patriarchal norms that perpetuate inequality#GenerationEqualityAfrica #Beijing25 pic.twitter.com/T2oz2PWJ6d

— UN Women Africa (@unwomenafrica) October 29, 2019

On day 2, other traditional leaders attending were HRH Chief Chamuka Morgan Kumwenda of Chisamba District, Zambia, HRH King Mfumu of the AbaBemba in Democratic Republic of Congo, HRH Dr. Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya Emir of Shonga, Nigeria, HRH Mansour (Niger) with the first lady of Ekiti Skate H.E Bisi Fayami

HRH Chief Chamuka (Zambia), HRH King Mfumu (DRC), HRH Dr. Haliru (Nigeria), 1st Lady @bisiafayemi and HRH Mansour (Niger) leading the dialogue on harmonization of laws and customary practices towards ending child marriage & FGM/C#GenerationEqualityAfrica #Beijing25 pic.twitter.com/WmXOvmUfFY

— UN Women Africa (@unwomenafrica) October 30, 2019