All Africa Youth Network Affirmed Commitment to the Churches Campaign Against SGBV in Africa
The All Africa Youth Network is the leadership forum for national youth leaders of the AACC member churches that was established in 2020. Meeting on 6th and 7th of March 2024 via Zoom, the Network reflected on the outcomes of AACC’s 12th General Assembly and identified strategies through which their leadership would sustain active youth participation in Church and Society.
“We have to ensure that the young people in our constituencies, the church leaders, state actors, and the African Union heed to the call to action directed to them by the Youth Pre-assembly statement to the 12th General Assembly.” Stressed Ms. Wapalwa Masaba from the United Church of Zambia as she moderated the discussion on the significance of the Youth Pre-assembly statement in their leadership.
During this meeting, the Network also reviewed and adopted a Pledge of Commitment to End Gender-Based Violence drafted by ten members of the Network leading in-country initiatives under the Churches Campaign against SGBV in Africa. Developed through a consultative and prayerful process, the pledge is for use in mobilizing African Youth to shun all forms of SGBV by committing to honor and respect the dignity of every human being.
“Whoever undertakes this pledge is expected to live as an ambassador of Gender Justice” Noted Mr Joseph Dimas, Youth President of the Lutheran Church in Nigeria.
While congratulating the youth leaders for this initiative, Muyunga Brian, AACC’s Executive Secretary, Youth appreciated the youth leaders for their collegiality and commitment to ending GBV in Africa.
“I am very confident that we are on the right track.” He affirmed.
During the meeting, the youth leaders also expressed their commitment to the planning of the second All Africa Youth Congress on the theme, Africa: My Home. My Future., to be hosted in Addis Ababa in 2025 by the AACC members in Ethiopia.
In the Photo: All Africa Youth Network leaders during an open discussion on the pledge of Commitment to End GBV [Credit: Muyunga Brian]
