Women Economic Empowerment Africa
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Policy, Advocacy and Global Engagement

WEEA connects community-level experiences with policy discussions and development priorities.

Areas of Policy and Advocacy

  • Gender equality and women’s economic empowerment
  • Menstrual health and dignity
  • Girls’ education
  • Youth participation and decent work
  • Sustainable economic opportunities
  • Inclusive development
  • Public policy and institutional accountability
  • Evidence-informed advocacy

Research, Advocacy and Policy Engagement

Turning Community Needs into Collective Action

WEEA recognizes that lasting change requires both practical support and attention to the wider systems affecting women and girls.

Our advocacy and research-related work focuses on increasing awareness, elevating community needs, and encouraging action on issues connected to menstrual health, gender equality, access to essential products, and women’s empowerment.

Menstrual Health Advocacy

Menstrual health is a matter of dignity, well-being, and equal participation. WEEA supports efforts to reduce stigma, improve access to menstrual products, and encourage policies and practices that respond to the needs of women and girls.

Our advocacy includes engagement around barriers that affect access and affordability, including the importance of considering how taxes and other costs influence the availability of menstrual products.

Community Knowledge and Learning

Community experiences are essential to understanding what works, what remains challenging, and where further action is needed.

WEEA values learning, evidence, and collaboration as foundations for improving programs and informing advocacy. We aim to connect practical experience with broader conversations about women’s and girls’ rights, health, and opportunities.

Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063

WEEA’s work and programme priorities connect with the following Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 1: No Poverty

SDG 1 · No Poverty

Economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

SDG 3 · Good Health and Well-being

Menstrual health information and community wellbeing.

SDG 4: Quality Education

SDG 4 · Quality Education

Girls’ education, practical skills and inclusive learning.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

SDG 5 · Gender Equality

Equal opportunities, dignity and women’s participation.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 6 · Clean Water and Sanitation

Menstrual hygiene and supportive environments.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

SDG 8 · Decent Work and Economic Growth

Entrepreneurship, youth skills and economic participation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

SDG 9 · Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Priorities for local production and practical innovation.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

SDG 10 · Reduced Inequalities

Inclusion of underserved and marginalized communities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

SDG 12 · Responsible Consumption and Production

Priorities for reusable menstrual products and sustainable production.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

SDG 16 · Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Meaningful participation and institutional accountability.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

SDG 17 · Partnerships for the Goals

Collaboration, knowledge exchange and shared development priorities.

Goal icons: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Not approved by the United Nations; this website does not reflect the views of the United Nations, its officials or Member States.

African Union Agenda 2063

Women’s economic participation and entrepreneurship connect with Aspiration 1 on inclusive growth and sustainable development. Youth leadership, education and inclusion connect with Aspiration 6 on participation, gender equality and opportunities for young people.

African Union Agenda 2063 Aspirations

WEEA in International and United Nations Platforms

Public records of WEEA’s youth policy engagement and Mahlet Zeleke Redi’s contributions and listed roles across international platforms.

Event contribution

Decent work at the 2026 HLPF

The event report records Mahlet Zeleke Redi’s contribution in her MGCY Global Focal Point role, connecting gender-responsive water, sanitation and hygiene with education, decent work and youth participation.

UNDP SparkBlue · UNDP–ILO event

Consultation announcement

Partnerships and financing for youth

MGCY’s announcement names Women Economic Empowerment Africa among the organizations releasing an ECOSOC Youth Forum pre-consultation on partnerships and equitable financing.

Major Group for Children and Youth

Participant and session listing

Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2025

The 2025 directory lists Mahlet Zeleke Redi in her MGCY Global Focal Point role for the session “A Just Transition For All: From Concepts to Action”.

Hamburg Sustainability Conference

UN DESA feature

Young people on financing the future

UN DESA’s feature names Mahlet Zeleke Redi and Women Economic Empowerment Africa in its coverage of young people’s perspectives on financing for development.

United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Historical appointment announcement

Youth representation on decent work and sustainable economies

The Major Group for Children and Youth announced Mahlet Zeleke, representing Women Economic Empowerment Africa Youth Organisation, as a Global Focal Point for its Global Youth Caucus on Decent Work and Sustainable Economies.

Major Group for Children and Youth

Each record identifies the role or contribution described by its publisher. Individual MGCY roles and participant listings do not establish WEEA membership, accreditation or endorsement by the United Nations.

International Dialogue and Participation

View Photos
A speaker at a lectern carrying ECOSOC Youth Forum branding.
At the ECOSOC Youth Forum lectern. Photograph: Joel Sheakoski / Joel S Photo LLC.
A wide view of delegates and the stage in an ECOSOC Youth Forum conference chamber.
ECOSOC Youth Forum conference chamber. Photograph: Joel Sheakoski / Joel S Photo LLC.
A portrait beside United Nations and International Labour Organization flags.
Portrait in an International Labour Organization setting.
A portrait beside African Union, Ethiopian and United Nations flags.
Portrait beside African Union, Ethiopian and United Nations flags.

Policy Publications

Explore Policy Publication Types
  • Policy briefs
  • Consultation submissions
  • Advocacy statements
  • Research papers
  • Position papers
  • Campaign demands
  • Event outcomes and recommendations

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