Presentations
Main Session Presentations ON 18TH June 2025
Setting the Scene — Political Commitment and Regional Landscape
Welcome Remarks:
Prof. Julio RAKOTONIRINA, Director for Health and Humanitarian Affairs
Hon. Aboubekrine El Jera, Africa Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACERWC) Member and Special Rapporteur on Health, Welfare and Development
Remarks from Partners:
Prof. Mary Getui, Board Chair The Africa Early Childhood Network
Dr. Laila Omar Gad, Representative UNICEF Office to the African Union & ECA
Voices of Children: Video Clip
Opening Remark by AUC:
H.E. Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission (AUC)
Keynote Address by Guest of Honor:
H.E Adanech Abiebie, Mayor of Addis Ababa, Federal Republic of Ethiopia
Session 1: Childcare Policies and Practices
Moderated by:
Ms. Janet Muthoni Ouko, Former Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services C.E.C. - Nairobi City County Government. Executive Director Tunza Mtoto Coalition
Ministerial Panel:
Hon. Habbibatou Drammeh, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, The Gambia
Hon. Halima Daud, Deputy Minister of Gender, Community, Development and Social Welfare; Republic of Malawi
Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, The Minister of States for Youth and Children Affairs, Republic of Uganda
Session 2: Setting the Scene: Continental Childcare Context
Moderated by:
Ms. Sophia Ashipala, Head of Education Division Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), African Union Commission
Regional Landscape of Childcare: Dr. Lynette Okengo | Presentation
Africa’s Agenda for Children (Agenda 2040): Ms. Catherine Maina | Presentation
AUC’s Role in Advancing Holistic Child Development: Ms. Inas Mubarak Yahia | Presentation
Promoting Child Care through Online Child Safety and Digital Literacy: Ms. Nena Thundu | Presentation
Gender, Positive Masculinity and Childcare: Ms. Arlette Akingeneye | Presentation
Session 3: Childcare Policies and Practices
Moderated by:
Dr. Erinna Dia, UNICEF Country Representative, Togo
Ministerial Panel:
Hon. Sarr Abdoulaye, Minister of National Education, Republic of Senegal
Hon. Fatou Kinteh, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Republic The Gambia
CPA Carren Ageng’o, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Republic of Kenya
Hon. Esmail Abdul Razak Amuza, Deputy Minister of Labor Gender and Social Action, Republic of Mozambique
Session 4: Childcare Systems: Global Perspectives
Moderated by:
Ms. Alleluia Dusabimana, Senior Programme Officer CARMMA Plus, HHS, AUC
Building a case for investing in childcare: Dr. Oliver Petrovic | Presentation
Investing in Childcare: What Works: Ms. Frances Mary Beaton Day | Presentation
Systems Approach for Africa: Ms. Elizabeth Lule | Presentation
Capacitating Grassroots Organizations by incubating Learning Laboratories: Ms. Lilies Njanga | Presentation
African Union Commission Childcare Center: Dr. Meshach Olawuyi | Presentation
Republic of Rwanda model: Mr. Gilbert Munyemana | Presentation
Republic of Zambia model: Ms. Patrine Chilala | Presentation
Republic of Kenya: CPA Caren Ageng’o | Presentation
Federal Republic of Ethiopia: Dr. Abebe Negesso Abela | Presentation