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Preamble
We, members of the African Civil Society and Women's Movement meeting under the aegis of "Gender is My Agenda Campaign" on the occasion of the 11th Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 22nd to 23 rd January 2008, on the theme "Industrial Development for Africa: The Gender Perspective", with the support of the Commission of the African Union (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Kingdom Department for International Development(DFID) and Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA);
Building on the important achievements made by the African women during the last 10 pre-summit meetings;
Welcoming the decision of the Heads of State and Government to take a critical look at the operations and activities of the AU through the setting up of the High Panel on the Audit of the AU organs;
Recalling the decision of the Heads of State and Government on ensuring that Gender equality remains at the forefront of Africa's development agenda in accordance with their commitment to ensure gender equality in the appointments at the AU organs/structures at all levels;
Recalling the decision of the Heads of State and Government to establish the African Women's Fund as provided for in the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA);
Thanking His Excellency, Alpha Omar Konare, Chairperson of the African Union Commission for his commitment to gender equality during his tenure, especially for spearheading the adoption of the SGDEA;
Appreciating the decision of the Heads of State and Government to devote their 11th Summit to Industrial Development in Africa and cognizant of the role women should play in this process;
Bearing in mind the key issues contained in the SDGEA and our commitment to monitor, evaluate and report on its implementation;
Recommend the following:
On Industrialization
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Member States should increase their budgetary allocation to research and development as a key support to industrial development;
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Appropriate legislation should be enacted in order to protect the intellectual property rights in Africa, especially women inventions in various field;
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Women associations should be set up to promote industrialization in Africa, especially in rural areas;
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An industrial Transformation Fund should be established to assist in developing and implementing various programs relating to industrialization in Africa;
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Women should be supported to engage in the industrialization programs and to ensure their economic self-sufficiency;
On SDGEA Reporting Obligation
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AU Member States should continue to honor their commitments in reporting on their achievements and setbacks relating to gender mainstreaming in programs and activities at national, regional and continental levels;
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AU Member States should also endeavor to promote and coordinate national public and private initiatives on gender equality and integrate such a component in their periodic reports on the SDGEA;
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AU Gender Directorate should be adequately empowered to play its pivotal role in monitoring national and regional initiatives to ensure the implementation of the gender parity principle.
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