97 million children remain out of school in Africa - Unesco Report

A team of experts in Africa have raised concern over rampant cases of school dropouts in the continent with more than 97 million children, youth and adolescents currently out of school, according to a recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

According to the experts comprising religious leaders, Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) among others, gender disparities are significant in the region with girls in rural and conflict-prone areas being the most affected.

The Covid-19 pandemic, according to the officials, also exposed the fragility of Africa's health systems, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable with over 25 percent of the world’s disease burden clearly indicating that Africa’s health system requires immediate attention.

The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) in collaboration with the African Union Centre for Girls and Women’s Education (AU CIEFFA) is set to host a crucial side event during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly's Summit on September 20, 2024, at the Permanent Mission of the African Union in New York in a bid to address these issues.

The Summit titled: "Intergenerational Leadership for the Acceleration of SDGs 3, 4, and 5" will bring together leaders from different sectors and generations to spotlight the urgency of advancing health (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5) across Africa.

The event which is supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, has been created to foster multi-stakeholder dialogue aimed at actionable solutions to critical challenges facing Africa in health, education, and gender equality.

Other actors supporting the initiative include the Bakhita Partnership for Education (BPE), and the Africa Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI).

According to the organisers of the Summit, JENA/AU CIEFFA has been made as a Side Event since Africa is at a critical juncture with the African continent being the home to the largest youth population standing at over 420 million people aged between 15 to 35.

JENA Director Fr Charles Chilufya said the side event at the Summit will amplify these voices, showcasing successful models that integrate health, education, and gender equality in the African context.

"These young people face systemic barriers to quality education, adequate healthcare, and equal opportunities—challenges that disproportionately impact women and girls," said Fr Chilufya.

"At JENA, we believe that transformative change must come from within communities, led by those who understand their unique challenges and strengths," he added.

The event will discuss how integrated approaches to health and education can accelerate progress towards good health and well-being and Gender Equality.

"While African women and girls continue to be pivotal in driving community progress, the gender gap remains stark. Women perform over 60 percent of the labour in agriculture, but own just 15 percent of the land," the experts said in a press statement to newsrooms.

They added that the side event will also showcase the crucial role that Catholic Sisters and religious leaders play in uplifting these underserved groups, particularly in education and health sectors.

Another key highlights of the event will be the recognition of hidden champions--community organisations, religious sisters, and local initiatives that are making significant, yet often overlooked, contributions in the society.

"These champions are vital in closing gaps where state and international support may fall short," said Fr Chilufya.

According to the officials, the side event will also address how FBOs, religious leaders, and grassroots initiatives can fill the gaps left by inadequate governmental support to achieve the AU’s 2024 Year of Education theme: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century. Health and Wellness".

JENA is a community of faith inspired Jesuit NGOs across 15 African countries working toward a just, poverty-free, and ecologically regenerative Africa.

JENA promotes social justice and ecological wellbeing through coordinated advocacy, research, and grassroots initiatives, all with the aim of uplifting African communities in line with the vision of a Just Africa.

AU/CIEFFA) on the other hand is dedicated to promoting quality education for women and girls across the African continent.

Established in 2004, AU/CIEFFA works to advance gender equality in education by developing policies, fostering partnerships, and implementing initiatives that empower women and girls through access to education.