THE Mastercard Foundation is set to host two significant events during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) on September 22, 2024. These events will spotlight critical issues surrounding girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment in Africa, taking place at the Millennium Hilton New York, One UN Plaza Hotel.
Under the themes Powering Parity—Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future” and “Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa, the gatherings aim to showcase successful educational models and explore strategies to create a more equitable economic landscape for African women.
The first event, Powering Parity—Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future, will focus on effective strategies and programmes to enhance learning access, outcomes, and transitions for young African women in secondary education. The session is expected to include a significant announcement regarding the expansion of a key Mastercard Foundation partnership centred on initiatives for girls and young women. The discussion will also explore the role of educational technology in fostering resilient and inclusive learning environments across Africa. This initiative is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s broader goal to facilitate dignified and fulfilling work for 21 million young women in Africa by 2030 under its Young Africa Works strategy.
‘The Foundation is proud to collaborate with exceptional institutions to co-create and scale solutions that drive meaningful impact for communities. Our approach resonates strongly with the UNGA 79 general debate theme of leaving no one behind,’ said Tina Muparadzi, Executive Director of Education & Transitions at the Mastercard Foundation.
Key stakeholders, including education ministries, multilateral institutions, and donors, are anticipated to leverage the approaches discussed at these events to accelerate impact and scale proven solutions. Among the confirmed attendees are Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education for Sierra Leone; Prof. Birhanu Nega, Minister of Education for Ethiopia; and Hon Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy for Nigeria.
Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, emphasised the importance of this work, noting that in Sub-Saharan Africa, 101 million young people between the ages of six and 18 are excluded from formal education. ‘We have every reason to be optimistic, thanks to the extraordinary African educators and innovators who are delivering quality education to young people. Expanding access to all has been at the heart of the Foundation’s work. At these events, education champions will share insights on successful policies and programs from across Africa, working together to scale these solutions and remove barriers, especially for girls and young women,’ said Roy.
The second event, Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa, held in collaboration with the African Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), will highlight the significant role of Africa’s young women in driving economic transformation. The event will propose bold strategies to improve their access to equitable and affordable financing, guided by insights from the Mastercard Foundation’s gender report, Young Women in Africa: Agents of Economic Growth and Transformation by 2030.
Panelists for this session include prominent figures in finance, policy, and development, such as Hon. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister for Youth Development, and Deniece Laurent-Mantey, Executive Director of the POTUS Africa Diaspora Advisory Council at the White House. They will lead discussions on how to transform financial systems to benefit women.
Both events underscore the Mastercard Foundation’s dedication to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s women and fostering a prosperous and inclusive future for the continent.
