Mastercard Foundation to Host Pivotal Events at UN General Assembly, Focusing on Girls’ Education and Women’s Economic Empowerment
The Mastercard Foundation will host two crucial events at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) on September 22, 2024, in New York. The events will focus on the critical issues of girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment in Africa, with the goal of creating a more equitable economic landscape for women on the continent.
The first event, "Powering Parity–Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future," will explore effective strategies and programs to improve young African women’s learning access, outcomes, and transitions to and from secondary education. The session will also include an important announcement on the expansion of a key Mastercard Foundation partnership focused on initiatives for girls and young women. Additionally, it will examine the pivotal role of education technology in fostering resilient and inclusive learning in Africa.
The second event, "Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa," will spotlight the unrivalled impact of Africa’s young women in driving economic transformation and propose bold strategies to bolster their access to equitable and affordable financing. The panel discussion will be held in collaboration with ALADI – African Leadership and Dialogue Institute and will feature leading experts in finance, policy, and development.
The Mastercard Foundation is committed to accelerating access to dignified and fulfilling work for 21 million young women in Africa by 2030 as part of its Young Africa Works strategy. The organization is proud to collaborate with exceptional institutions to co-create and scale solutions that drive meaningful impact for communities.
The events will bring together various stakeholders, including education ministries, multilateral institutions, and donors, to accelerate impact and scale-proven solutions. Confirmed attendees include Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, Minister of Technical and Higher Education for Sierra Leone; Prof. Birhanu Nega, Minister of Education for Ethiopia; and Hon Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy for Nigeria.
Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, emphasized the importance of this work, citing the reality that in Sub-Saharan Africa, 101M young people between the ages of six and 18 are excluded from formal education. She noted that the Foundation is committed to expanding access to all, especially for girls and young women, and that education champions will be sharing insights about successful policies and programs from across Africa at the events.
The Mastercard Foundation is a registered Canadian charity and one of the largest foundations in the world. It works with visionary organizations to advance education and financial inclusion to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. Established in 2006, the Foundation is an independent organization separate from Mastercard, with offices in several African cities and Toronto.
