{"id":6634,"date":"2024-03-27T08:26:25","date_gmt":"2024-03-27T08:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gracamacheltrust.org\/?p=6634"},"modified":"2026-01-23T03:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T01:00:40","slug":"igniting-change-highlights-from-the-pan-african-adolescent-girls-jubilee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.gbstudio.co.za\/gmt\/featured\/igniting-change-highlights-from-the-pan-african-adolescent-girls-jubilee\/","title":{"rendered":"Igniting Change: Highlights from the pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Jubilee"},"content":{"rendered":"

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On March 19, 2024, the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust’s Adolescent Girls Movement Programme hosted its 3rd annual Pan African Adolescent Girls Jubilee. The hybrid event provided a significant dialogue and connected over 250 \u00a0high-spirited adolescent girls and young women aged 10 to 20 in five African countries to address some of the most pressing issues faced by teenage girls in Africa.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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This year’s convening, held under the theme\u00a0“Promoting quality education to transform the holistic development of African Adolescent Girls,”<\/b><\/em> \u00a0was set against the backdrop of a region with the highest adolescent birth rates and notable challenges in female education retention. With the presence of changemakers, key stakeholders, and partner organizations at the forefront of contributing to the advancement of adolescent girls, the Jubilee carved out space for critical conversations and collaborative solution-building.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Jubilee stood out as a call to action, signalling the need for increased participation of adolescents in crafting solutions that address the factors inhibiting their education. By creating a platform where girls could share the barriers to their school retention, the event voiced their collective concerns and reinforced the importance of the Pan African Adolescent Girls Movement. It marked a step forward in expanding the movement’s membership and understanding, signalling a collective rise to the challenge of educating an African girl fit for the 21st century and building resilient education systems for a continent in the throes of transformation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Here is a sneak peek into the jubilee event<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

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Arrival and warm welcomes: The jubilant faces of over 250 young women, both onsite and online, reflected the hope and determination the day promised.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Call to Unite: Margret Gathinja Kilonzo’s vibrant “Eagles Declaration” delivery ushered in the day’s agenda, capturing the essence of unity and shared vision.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Wisdom from the Founder: The Trust’s Founder, Mrs Gra\u00e7a Machel, infused the air with words that sparked a fire of possibility in the hearts of the young attendees.<\/p><\/div>\n

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A warm welcome from our “Mother Eagles” Trust’s Interim CEO, Theo Sowa and Director of Programmes, Shiphra Chisha, collectively voiced the opening remarks, laying the groundwork for an event poised to address critical educational challenges.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Dalre\u00e9 de Lange, Senior Programme Officer of Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust and keynote speaker Karen Ondwasi, Founding Chairperson of Gender is My Agenda Youth Network (GIMAC) took the stage to provide an insightful programme overview, touching on the transformative initiatives shaping the future of African girls’ education.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Interactive Breakout Sessions: Diverse groups discussed critical themes, from girls in leadership to the impact of climate change, allowing every voice to be heard and every idea to be valued.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Cultural Celebrations: The Jubilee was punctuated with vibrant performances celebrating African heritage, showcasing the talent and spirit of the continent’s young women.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Collective voices in plenary: Representatives from each group presented their findings and posed poignant questions to a panel of leaders, embodying the event’s collaborative ethos.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Intergenerational Dialogue: A dynamic panel engaged in meaningful dialogue, answering questions posed by the young participants, bridging the gap between generations. The dialogue that followed, featuring influential voices of Her Royal Highness Queen Ndamase of Pondo Land (centre); Zandile Mkhwanazi, Founder and CEO of Girl Code (right); Nangamso Mkutaji Gumbe of Creative Researcher, Writer, and Artist (left); Emma Theofelus, Young Namibian Minister of ICT (online); Damon Wamara, Chairperson of the African Charter of the Rights and Walfare of Children CSO Forum (online); Honourable Aboubekrine El Jera, ACERWC Special Rapporteur on Health (online), was rich with perspectives on leadership, entrepreneurship, and advocacy for adolescent education.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Reflecting and looking forward: As the event drew to a close, the reflections shared by attendees resonated with hope and a renewed commitment to the educational advancement of African adolescent girls.<\/p><\/div>\n

Learn more about the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust\u2019s Adolescent Girls Movement <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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