Speak Up Africa Launches #Yena2030

Promoting Sustainable Development Goals through the Perspective of African Women

In 2015, countries concluded a negotiating process that has spanned more than two years and featured the unprecedented participation of civil society. Governments agreed on the need for comprehensive financing for development, adopted a new sustainable development agenda and charted a universal and legally bindingglobal agreement on climate change. All united behind an ambitious agenda that features 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets that aim to end poverty, combat inequalities and promote prosperity while protecting the environment by 2030.

However, these long awaited SDGs do not approach solutions from the African perspective: for instance, the agriculture sector is still mostly treated through the lens of hunger and malnutrition, rather than through agribusiness and job opportunities for the youth. To maximize the growth opportunities facing Africa today, both men and women in Africa need to be able to reach their full potential. We need to consider how we enable the story of African growth through its people. The vital role of women in developing our economies and African societies cannot be overlooked if we want to take advantage of the prospects facing us today.

To spur concrete commitments and position African women at the center of the continental global agenda, Speak Up Africa launches Yena2030. The campaign will strive to constantly remind the world that it is not African women’s contributions and leadership that are central to finding a solution; they are the solution to the continent’s development.

Speak – Act – Rise

Women and girls make up more than half the world’s population — and they are on the frontlines — often more deeply impacted than men and boys by poverty, climate change, food insecurity, lack of healthcare, and global economic crises. This is why it is important for the continent to leverage all possible human energy – maximizing the growth opportunities that are presented through people – particularly, its women. Whether they are raising children, supporting families, running businesses, selling in markets, leading communities or promoting peace, women are critical catalysts for meaningful change for the African continent.

The campaign, through the new global 2030 roadmap and SDGs, will examine how women are pushing forward the 17 SDGs, and further reinforce how women and girls are key to achieving each of these goals. Yena2030 will showcase data, stories, videos and publications to stimulate debate and discussion among African populations, from policy-makers and private and public sector leaders to the most remote communities. For affirmative action strategies and SDGs to be effective, reach their objectives and have an impact on people’s lives, women themselves need to speak and voice their opinions around the appropriate mechanisms necessary to reach their full potential.

Educate – Advocate – Engage

Aiming to give a voice to African women and girls, Yena2030 will showcase extraordinary women and girls that are making a difference in their everyday lives and raise awareness of the SDG’s in Africa.  By informing and engaging citizens, they will be empowered to “act on” and hold their governments accountable to their development commitments. Speak Up Africa will work with civil society organizations, NGO’s and media companies, including African Media Agency, as strategic and distribution partners in this campaign. Each of these partners will support Speak Up Africa with its strong networks, technical expertise and national knowledge. In addition to providing an outlet for African women and girl’s voices and ideas, Yena2030 will act as a powerful accountability mechanism for the African government SDG commitments.

Celebrate International Women Day and join the conversation @ www.facebook/SpeakUpAfrica/Yena2030

———————————

About Speak Up Africa

Speak Up Africa (www.speakupafrica.org) is an advocacy and communications organization that facilitates African leadership and ownership in tackling critical issues affecting the continent. We are convinced that a prosperous and stable Africa begins with active and engaged citizens; and with leaders that accelerate transformational change. Thus, we gear towards filling the long-lasted gap of African voices being excluded from the international march towards progress.

Speak Up Africa’s team based in Dakar and New York has vast experience and networks both in the public and the private sector. Our advocacy and communications model effectively leverages media, celebrities and leadership to mobilize all segments of the African societies to drive the progress on the continent.

About African Media Agency

African Media Agency (www.amediaagency.com) specializes in helping companies grow their share of voice on a pan-African scale. Our deep knowledge and understanding of the continent helped us gain recognition and act as an authoritative source of news for the most influential media houses in every African country.

Our offices are located in Dubai (UAE), Libreville (Gabon), New York (USA) and we have local presence in Johannesburg (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya) and Lagos (Nigeria). Our team has ten years of experience across the Communications spectrum on a pan-African scale. We intimately understand the diversified and often complex business environment in each African country andguide our clients with best practice on every step of their African journey.