The call was made during a high-level dialogue on gender equality in education, held on Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The event, titled “Investing in Girls’ Education Systems as a Form of Reparation, Justice, and Sustainable Development for African Communities,” took place on the sidelines of the 38th AU summit.

The gathering focused on the importance of investing in girls’ education as a tool for justice and sustainable development, aligning with the AU’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”

Mohamed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasized the need for policy reforms to improve access to education for African girls.

He pointed out that increased financial investment, safer school environments, and gender-responsive data were key to advancing girls’ education across Africa.

"This year, in line with the AU’s theme, we are placing a greater focus on education as a foundation for addressing long-standing inequalities,” Belhocine stated.

A joint report by the AU and UNESCO on the status of girls’ and women’s education in Africa was launched during the meeting. The report provided a detailed analysis of the progress made toward achieving inclusive and equitable quality education.

The dialogue served as a vital platform for policymakers, experts, and activists to share strategies and best practices to tackle the challenges hindering girls’ education in Africa.

The AU summit will continue through Sunday at the AU headquarters, with key meetings scheduled for the Executive Council and African heads of state and government.

African countries have been called upon to prioritize gender equality in education, with experts and policymakers stressing the need for increased investment in girls' education.