Empowering Women and Girls in Africa through Education and Economic Opportunities

The Mastercard Foundation is hosting two events on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, 2024, at the Millennium Hilton New York, One UN Plaza Hotel. These events will focus on critical issues in the economic empowerment and education of girls and women in Africa.

Fostering Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future

This session will explore effective strategies and programs to improve women’s access to learning in Africa, their academic performance, and their transitions to and within secondary education. The Mastercard Foundation will announce a new partnership focusing on initiatives in favor of young women and women, and discussions will highlight the critical role of technology in promoting resilient and inclusive learning in Africa.

Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa

This roundtable, organized in collaboration with the Institute for Leadership and Dialogue in Africa, will highlight the unparalleled impact of young African women on economic transformation and offer strategies for bold initiatives to improve their access to equitable financing and affordable resources. The Mastercard Foundation will present findings from its Gender Impact Report, entitled “Women in Africa: Agents of Economic Growth and Transformation by 2030.”

Accelerating Access to Education and Economic Opportunities

The Mastercard Foundation is committed to accelerating access to dignified and fulfilling work for 21 million women in Africa by 2030 as part of its “Young Africa Works” strategy. The Foundation’s approach aligns with the theme of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, which is to leave no one behind.

Key Speakers and Participants

Various stakeholders, including ministries of education, multilateral organizations, and donors, are expected to attend these events. Confirmed speakers include Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Tertiary Education of Sierra Leone; Professor Birhanu Nega, Minister of Education of Ethiopia; and the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, Bosun Tijani.

A Call to Action

Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, emphasized the importance of expanding access to education for all, particularly girls and women. “By working together, we can amplify effective solutions and remove barriers for everyone, especially girls and women,” she said.