A conference aimed at mainstreaming gender in the agenda of the African Union Summit has opened in Accra. It is being organised by the women’s civil society networks as part of its 10th pre-summit consultative meeting. The pre-summit involves a network of 54 women groups, regional bodies, United Nations agencies and governments from 20 African Countries to discuss and review the implementation of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA) adopted by AU Heads of States and Government in 2004. The two-day meeting precedes the Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union and it is concerned with promoting women’s rights in Africa in line with the creation of an African Union Government. Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister Women of Women and Children said as the continent moved towards full integration, the new structures of governance of the Union Government would largely impact the African women’s movement. “The full attainment of women’s rights and empowerment can only ensue if the Union Government prioritizes women’s issues at all levels and continues the advances on gender mainstreaming of the AU,” she said. Hajia Mahama told the participants to try and involve men in their discussion because women cannot continue to discuss gender issues without talking about how they would engage men in the discussions, on the roles that both men and women play in achieving gender equality. “It is critical in gender relations to bring into the open, power and equality issues,” citing changing social and family norms or male violence, as examples. She said: “Failure to engage with such issues means that opportunities are missed that could help participants develop the tools, to explore gender equality from various directions and backgrounds”. Source: GNA