Decision on the Appointment of H.E. Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as African Union Champion for the Positive Masculinity Programme

DECISION ON THE APPOINTMENT OF H.E. FELIX TSHISEKEDI, PRESIDENT OF
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, AS AFRICAN UNION CHAMPION FOR
THE POSITIVE MASCULINITY PROGRAMME

The Assembly

1. TAKES NOTE of the Declaration of the Men's Conference on Positive Masculinity for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Africa, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on 25 November 2021, on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and STRESSES African Union’s special attention to the issue of gender promotion through the Constitutive Act of the AU, Agenda 2063: "The Africa We Want", the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality (2009), the AU Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE);

2. EXPRESSES deep appreciation to His Excellency Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chairperson of the African Union for 2021-2022, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, and Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia and Patroness of the African Women Leaders Network, for organizing the first Men's Conference on Positive Masculinity; ALSO CONGRATULATES His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, former Chairperson of the African Union and appointed AU Champion for COVID-19 response, His Excellency Nana Akufo Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana and AU Champion for Gender and Development in Africa, and His Excellency Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, for their significant contribution to the organization of the Conference and their support to the Positive Masculinity Programme in Africa;

3. ACKNOWLEDGES the significant progress made by the African Union in the elimination of violence against women and girls, prevention and empowerment of survivors of violence as key elements of peace building.

4. RECOGNIZES the urgent need for continued commitment of the AU and its Member States in collaboration with partners to pool support for Africa's efforts in promoting positive masculinity and addressing gender inequalities, AND DECIDES to appoint H. E. Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and outgoing Chairperson of the African Union, as the Champion of the African Union in the Positive Masculinity Programme, for having demonstrated dedication and diligence in accompanying and supporting efforts to promote gender equality and to relentlessly combat sexual gender-based violence.

5. URGES Member States to continue to take all necessary measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic and all its effects that may violate the elimination of violence against women and girls in Africa.