In August 2025, young education advocates from across Africa gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Feminist Network for Gender Transformative Education (FEMNET4GTE) African Regional Action Workshop, hosted by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) in partnership with UNGEI, GCE, and regional partners. The two-day event brought together government officials, academics, student and teacher unions, disabled persons’ organisations, youth leaders, feminist activists, and multilateral agencies to advance gender equality through education across the continent.
Representing GCE’s Youth Action Group (YAG) were Ahmid C. Jalloh (YARDO-Sierra Leone), Olasupo Abideen (Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Nigeria), and Carelle Kaze (Cameroon). Their participation marked a strong affirmation of GCE’s commitment to mainstreaming youth leadership within education advocacy, policy design, and implementation.
The Regional Workshop formed part of the wider FEMNET4GTE strategy to expand regional actions that influence education policies, strengthen solidarity, and drive accountability for gender-transformative education across Africa. This initiative connects national and regional work to global advocacy platforms.
The African Union’s 2025 theme, ‘Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and Reparations for Africans’, served as a powerful backdrop for the discussions. Participants reflected on the intersection of justice, reparation, and education, as a means to redress historical inequities and advance the empowerment of girls and women. Workshop sessions also explored how gender-transformative education contributes to ending harmful practices such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence. Speakers stressed that education must not only teach equality but live it – through inclusive curricula, equitable financing, and policy reforms.
The workshop opened with a welcome from Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director of FAWE, and Alinafe Malonje, Community Coordinator at UNGEI. A keynote session on the African Union’s 2025 Theme and Gender Transformative Education (GTE) by Chimwemwe Fabiano set the tone for reflection and action. The event was abuzz with energy as participants stood in solidarity circles sharing innovative gender-transformative initiatives, including local work led by Nashipai Maasai Project, presented by Selina Nkiole.
Key sessions featured contributions from feminist educators and global advocates, including:
- Solange Akpo (ANCEFA), on global, continental, and regional advocacy opportunities;
- Prof. Elvis Fokala (Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria and Hussienatou Manjang (ACERWC), on the General Comment on the Right to Education and the need for states to fulfil reporting obligations;
- Ashina Mitsumi (ActionAid’s TaxEd Alliance) and Julie Juma (GCE), on financing gender-transformative education and addressing funding gaps.
The most moving interventions came from youth leaders and grassroots activists. Grace Moraa Areba, of the Chanuka Deaf Women’s Group, shared her personal journey on the intersection of gender and disability, calling for the inclusion of marginalised learners in all education reforms.
Across discussions, participants identified priority actions for strengthening education systems through feminist leadership, inclusive financing, and localised action planning. Group work culminated in an Outcome Document presented by Catherine Asego (FAWE, Kenya). It proposes frameworks to track progress on the World We Want Call to Action and to sustain collaboration through continuous regional learning exchanges.
The workshop also strengthened intergenerational solidarity, with young Feminist Network members engaging directly with senior policymakers. Self-care and wellness sessions, cultural exchanges, and feminist reflection spaces reinforced the values of empathy, inclusion, and shared humanity that underpin the network’s mission.
For GCE’s Youth Action Group, the workshop proved transformative. “This event strengthened my understanding of gender-transformative education and expanded opportunities to contribute towards advancing SDG 4. I’m honoured to represent young people on the FEMNET4GTE Steering Group to continue advocating for inclusive, transformative education,” said Ahmid C. Jalloh, Executive Director of YARDO, Sierra Leone.
“Participating in this workshop deepened my understanding of gender-responsive education systems. It’s a privilege to serve on the Steering Group and champion young people’s leadership in transforming education,” noted Olasupo Abideen, Global Director of the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Nigeria.
“This workshop was not just a learning experience, it was a call to action. I’m inspired to take part in shaping education systems that leave no one behind,” added Carelle Kaze, Cameroon.
The Nairobi workshop highlighted a collective determination to reimagine education as a transformative force for equality, justice, and empowerment. By linking local activism with continental frameworks such as the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026–2035) and global movements for gender justice, FEMNET4GTE is enabling a unified platform for feminist education advocacy.
As GCE’s Youth Action Group deepens its collaboration with FEMNET4GTE, one truth stands out – when young and feminist voices lead, education transcends being a right and becomes a powerful force for equality.
Click HERE to download this story.