Addis ababa: The African Union Commission (AUC) marked International Women's Day 2026 by spotlighting the often unseen contributions of women who keep the continent's premier multilateral institution running. Held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, the event was organized by the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) under the theme 'Honoring Women of the African Union: Voices, Work and Community.'
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the commemoration highlighted women working across the Commission, from leadership roles to operational staff whose efforts sustain the institution's daily functions. AUC Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf opened the ceremony by calling for a shift in how women's roles are recognized within the Union and across the continent. Youssouf emphasized that women's advancement is closely tied to the success of the AU itself and linked women's empowerment to the continental development blueprint Agenda 2063.
AUC Deputy Chairperson Selma Haddadi paid tribute to the 'founding mothers' of the African Union while emphasizing the vital role played by women whose work is rarely visible in high-level meetings. Haddadi highlighted the message of honoring those who contribute daily to the institution's success but remain unseen in meeting rooms. The event also featured testimonies from women working on the AU's operational front lines, illustrating the theme of the day.
Santa Belew, a ticket officer at the Commission, emphasized the importance of opportunity in unlocking women's potential, noting that many women possess talents that can flourish when given the chance. Meron Adinew, team leader of the Ethiopian Airlines office at the AU headquarters, called for stronger gender parity in senior leadership and encouraged young women to pursue education as a pathway to leadership.
The African Union Commission, serving as the executive branch and secretariat of the African Union, continues to advance policies promoting gender equality and women's empowerment through the Women, Gender and Youth Directorate. These initiatives align with commitments under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.