ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has expressed its commitment to driving efforts and support toward African women so that they can benefit from the effective implementation of the African continental free trade area (AfCFTA) which has already come effective on the continent.
In order to scale up actions for the progressive gender inclusion towards sustainable development, African leaders have declared the years from 2020 to 2030 the Decade of Women's Economic and Financial Inclusion.
In a statement released late Saturday, the 55-member pan-African bloc has reiterated its commitment to driving efforts for the initiative, as women and girls are seeking expanded opportunities, particularly with the implementation of AfCFTA.
It promises to benefit women in business and provide prospects for the meaningful contribution of women, to improve the situation of women traders across the continent.
The 33rd AU summit held from Feb. 9 to 10 in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, has also provided various platforms to rally support and advance actions towards the implementation of commitments on gender equality and women's empowerment.
African women are keen on strengthened financial services and capacity of women, especially those living in rural areas, to gain access to technology and to use it to increase productivity in all industrious sectors.
Speaking to the AU summit, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission, noted that gender equality and parity remained a central priority for the AU Commission and the Union as a whole.
