POWERING
PARITY

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Envisioning a World in Which Young African
Women Learn, Earn, and Lead

Watch the video of the event below:
Sunday, September 22, 2024
11:00 AM EST/3:00 PM GMT

EXPERIENCE THE FUTURE OF
AFRICA’S ECONOMIC POWER

Powering Parity will gather global leaders, educators, policymakers, and
innovators to explore impactful solutions that improve learning access and
outcomes for young African women. This high-level event aims to foster dialogue,
align stakeholders, and launch significant education initiatives to demonstrate the
Foundation’s commitment and inspire others to join in.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Inspirational Keynotes

Hear from invincible women
who have defied the odds to
build successful businesses.

Dynamic Panels

Engage with experts on
reimagining and transforming
Africa’s financial systems.

Spark Talks

Young changemakers share
inspiring stories and innovative
solutions.

Impact-Driven Solutions

Actionable recommendations
for policymakers, financial
institutions, and development
organizations.

Networking

Connect with influential leaders,
visionaries, and trailblazers.

Commitment Announcements

Mastercard Foundation’s pledge to young women’s secondary education and transitions.

WHY THIS
MATTERS

  • Population Surge: With 40% of Africa’s population under 15 and another 100 million children to be born by 2050, investing in education is crucial for economic progress and sustainability.
  • Educational Gaps: Approximately 34 million adolescent young women of secondary school age remain out of school, and only 26% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa complete secondary education.
  • Economic Cost of Exclusion: Not educating girls and young women can cost a country USD 15 to 30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings.
  • Economic Growth: Educating girls can transform economies, unlocking vast economic potential and fostering sustainable development.
  • Policy Impact: Collaborating with policymakers to create inclusive education policies is vital for addressing the unique challenges faced by young African women.

PANELS

*Speakers and schedule are subject to change

11:00 AM – 11:04 AM : Opening Performance: Academia & Africa

Spoken Word Performance.

  • FANTA

    Fanta Ballo

11:06 AM – 11:10 AM : Welcome Video Message: Reeta Roy, President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation

Welcome and Scene-Setting from the Mastercard Foundation: Why this event? Why now?

  • Reeta Roy

    President and CEO, Mastercard Foundation

11:10 AM – 11:15 AM : Welcome Remarks: Sconaid McGeachin, Chief Public Affairs and Communications, Mastercard Foundation

Welcome and Scene-Setting from the Mastercard Foundation: Why this event? Why now?

  • Sconaid McGeachin

    Chief Public Affairs and Communications, Mastercard Foundation

11:18 AM – 12:00 PM : Gains, Guides, and Gumption: Panel Discussion

Spotlight on African countries that have made strides in girls’ inclusion in education, particularly secondary education, and lessons on developing and implementing effective policy.

  • Prof. Berhanu Nega

    Minister of Education, Ethiopia

  • His Excellency Prof. Mohammed Belhocine

    African Union Commissioner in Charge of ESTI

  • Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie

    Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sierra Leone

  • Moderator: Tumi Makgabo

    Award-winning broadcaster

12:05 PM – 12:15 PM : Conversation with a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alum from Arizona State University (ASU)

Spotlight on the Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alum’s transition to dignified and fulfilling work and the partner institution’s role in supporting and enabling that transition.

Arizona State University: ASU developed and manage the Mastercard Foundation’s Baobab platform. This platform offers mentoring, courses, internships, professional development, employment opportunities, and network linkages to the Mastercard Foundation Scholar and Alumni. They are also the technical partner for the E-Learning Initiative.

  • Moderator: Chido Mpemba

    AU Youth Envoy

  • Munya Mahiya

    Forward for the Golden State Road Warriors (Mastercard Foundation Scholar)

  • Yeukai Mlambo

    Executive Director of African Initiatives, ASU

  • Shantel Marekera

    Legal Analyst, World Bank Group (Mastercard Foundation Scholar)

12:16 PM – 12:36 PM : Fireside Chat

Building Resilient Learning Systems: Discover insights on creating robust learning systems that can withstand and adapt to future challenges.

  • Wariko

    Moderator: Ms. Wariko Waita

    Senior Director, Corporate Communications and the Director, Program Communications, Education and Transitions at the Mastercard Foundation
  • Bosun

    Dr. Bosun Tijani

    Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Nigeria

12:24 PM – 1:00 PM : Embracing Bold Action

Spotlight on what the Mastercard Foundation and key partners have learned about advancing learning for young women and the announcement of the Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to young women’s secondary learning and transitions moving forward.

Q&A session.

  • Moderator: Julie Gichuru

    Founder & CEO, Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI)

  • Tina Muparadzi

    Executive Director, Education Transitions, Mastercard Foundation

  • Fiona Mavhinga

    Executive Director – CAMFED Association Development

  • Martha Muhwezi

    Executive Director, FAWE

SUBMIT A QUESTION
FOR OUR SPEAKERS

    *By submitting your name you are acceptting our privacy policy

    DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

    SECONDARY EDUCATION IN
    AFRICA: PREPARING YOUTH
    FOR THE FUTURE OF WORK