Ms. Ellen Ann, represented The African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies at two key engagements held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2026: the 15th Youth Advocacy Training and the 42nd GIMAC CSO Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting.
The 15th Youth Advocacy Training, convened on 6th February 2026 by the Gender Is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) Young Women Network, brought together young women and youth advocates from across Africa ahead of the African Union Summit. The training focused on strengthening youth participation in AU processes, with particular attention to the 2026 AU Theme on sustainable water availability and safe sanitation systems.
In preparation for the Pre-Summit, Ms. Ann compiled and consolidated the recommendations emerging from the Youth Advocacy Training. These recommendations centered on meaningful youth participation, gender-responsive budgeting, accountability in WASH governance, and the domestication of AU commitments at national level. The consolidated youth position was formally presented by the Young Women Network Chairperson during the 42nd GIMAC CSO Pre-Summit Meeting and adopted as part of the official GIMAC outcome document.
From 7th –8th February 2026, Ms. Ann also represented ACDHRS at the 42nd GIMAC CSO Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting, held under the theme: “Advancing Gender-Responsive Water and Sanitation Policies for Sustainable Development in Africa.” The meeting brought together civil society actors, AU officials, UN agencies, youth leaders, and development partners to shape collective advocacy ahead of the AU Summit.
At the Pre-Summit, Ms. Ellen Ann led the drafting team responsible for developing the official Outcome Document of the meeting. The document captured key recommendations from plenary and breakout sessions, including calls to:
• Recognize water and sanitation as fundamental human rights linked to dignity, health, education, and economic justice.
• Institutionalize women’s and youth leadership in water governance structures.
• Strengthen gender-responsive financing and accountability mechanisms.
• Address the gendered impact of water insecurity in conflict and climate-affected settings.
She also presented the draft Outcome Document during the meeting, marking a critical step in translating dialogue into collective commitments for action.
Through its participation in both the Youth Advocacy Training and the 42nd GIMAC Pre-Summit, ACDHRS reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying youth voices, advancing gender-responsive governance, and ensuring that continental policy processes result in tangible human rights outcomes for women and girls across Africa.
