On the occasion of the 72nd UN General Assembly (UNGA), GBCHealth, World Bank and UNFPA will convene a high-level meeting on September 22nd (08.30-10.30 ET) to discuss the private sector’s role in supporting Africa’s demographic change. Hosted by His Excellency Prof. Alpha Condé, President of Guinea and Chairperson for the African Union, the event will bring together African Heads of State, CEOs, civil society representatives and other development partners.
With an expected 70% of Africans reaching working age by 2030, new ways of engaging the private sector to empower women and girls to reach their full potential are essential to improving quality of life. Investments in good health and education are among the most significant factors in ensuring transformation from this demographic change.
With the addition of so many young people to Africa’s workforce, businesses can be influential in accelerating progress and removing barriers for women & girls by helping to:
- Generate demand for sexual and reproductive health products and services;
- Improve supply chain and delivery performance;
- Utilize technology to enhance data collection and monitoring techniques;
- Promote national and regional standardization of registration and quality;
- Train midwives and health officers; and
- Extend the reach of existing programs through financial expertise and resources.
The private sector is also increasing its commitment to advocacy and can inject itself into the decision-making process by seeking to shape progressive national and global policies.
If you are interested in attending this event, please RSVP by Sept. 18th using the form found here: https://goo.gl/forms/dkABce97Zmbp9cVf1. Space is limited.
Side Event: Re-Branding Africa Forum
In addition to UN General Assembly event, UNFPA, GBCHealth and AfriYAN will hold a special side event on October 5th in Brussels in the lead up to the Re-Branding Africa Forum. The event will serve as a platform to discuss the role of youth in harnessing the demographic dividend. There will be two sessions: mobilizing media practitioners and a dialogue with the private sector, governments and youth organizations to discuss current progress on the African Union’s Demographic Dividend Roadmap.
If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Maggie Arbogast at marbogast@gbchealth.org
Ultimately, both of these events will seek to broaden the dialogue around the private sector’s role in Africa’s demographic change and provide tangible examples of how smart investments can drive considerable progress.
Additional Resources on the Demographic Dividend:
Demographic Dividend: Improving Health for Women and Youth
GBCHealth & UNFPA | Business and the Effort to Leave No One Behind
UNFPA | Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend Project (SWEDD)
African Union | AU Roadmap on Harnessing the Demographic Dividend Through Investments in Youth
African Development Bank | Jobs for Youth in Africa