Ei-iE

Gender equality is at the heart of Education International's work. Since its creation in 1993, EI has supported the establishment of women's networks between and among member organizations at the regional and sub-regional levels, in order to promote women's empowerment and leadership within EI member organizations and within EI structures at the regional and global levels.

The African Women in Education Network (AWEN) was launched in 2008 with the overall objective of promoting gender equality in education unions and strengthening them to achieve quality education for all. Through its five sub-regional networks - RESAC (Central Africa), RESAO (Francophone West Africa), SAWEN (Southern Africa), WAWEN (Anglophone West Africa) and WNEA (East Africa) - the regional network offers a platform enabling women in the education sector to share their experiences on gender equality issues, strengthen solidarity between teachers and education workers, and disseminate good practices in integrating the gender dimension into union policies and programs.

The reach of AWEN

AWEN is a vital driver for advancing gender equality within education unions across Africa. By building connections, providing support, and empowering women, AWEN combats gender-based discrimination and fosters female leadership throughout the sector.

AWEN’s approach focuses on dismantling the structural and cultural barriers that limit women’s participation and influence. Its core pillars—skills development, peer learning, mentorship, youth engagement, and advocacy for gender-sensitive policies—enable women to make meaningful contributions to union activities and decision-making at all levels.

The network creates environments where women can share their experiences, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. Through sub-regional meetings, training sessions, and exchanges between unions, AWEN fosters solidarity and promotes models that strengthen commitment to gender equality. Its activities remain relevant by addressing national priorities and those specific to each union.

AWEN's influence is reflected in measurable results. Many unions have adopted gender policies and revised their constitutions to include gender-sensitive language, quotas, and affirmative action measures. Budgetary allocations now support women's empowerment initiatives, while the creation of equality offices and the appointment of gender officers have institutionalized support for women's rights.

At the heart of AWEN's success lies its commitment to skills development and strengthening political leadership. By developing women's skills and confidence, the network has changed my mindset and enabled me to access leadership positions in my trade union. I realised I could train and mentor other women. This made me who I am today.

Challenges encountered

While the positive influence of AWEN is evident, challenges remain, particularly in communication and coordination, sometimes limiting the network's effectiveness. To accelerate change, we must strengthen the involvement of union leaders in training, intensify advocacy efforts, and develop groups of trainers/mentors and resource persons in each country. In this context, the AWEN toolkit is a unifying and operational resource, helping to harmonize approaches, strengthen coordination, and maximize impact despite resource constraints.

Maintaining progress and looking into the future

While challenges persist, the impact of AWEN is strongly felt throughout the region. According to the 2018 external evaluation, strategies such as increased mobilization of union leaders, strengthened advocacy, and the creation of national pools of women trainers are identified as crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the gains we have made. Sustained commitment and targeted investments will help strengthen unions and support the goal of gender-equitable education across Africa.

By equipping unions with concrete tools to address the root causes of inequality, the AWEN toolkit reinforces the sustainability of AWEN 's achievements and supports lasting structural transformation.

For over a decade, our advocacy has raised the profile of gender equality on union agendas, with leaders increasingly supporting initiatives in this area. Peer learning and mentoring are essential for AWEN, strengthening the common understanding of the challenges related to women's leadership and fostering collaboration between sub-regional networks.

Beyond leadership, AWEN is a strong advocate for safe and inclusive workplaces. It supports the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 190, helping unions combat violence and harassment in the workplace and integrate gender equality into policies and practices. These actions have positioned AWEN as a leader in rights-based and gender-sensitive union reforms.

AWEN’s cumulative achievements are clear: strengthened female representation, increased confidence and skills among union members, and more gender-sensitive union agendas. Through research, training, mentoring, and advocacy, AWEN continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future for education unions across Africa.