On 30-31 Aug, Sefora Masia, WOCAN South Africa Coordinator, was invited to attend the conference to celebrate 50 years of the existence of the Pan African Women’s Organisation (POWA). The event was attended by ministers of women’s issues and delegations from various countries. POWA is the women’s wing of Organisation of African Unity (AU) with an observer status in the organisation. It is now fighting for full membership so that it can influence the AU Agenda and ensure that policies respond to women’s issues. POWA was established in July 1951 in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, by African women from various countries. It was initially a socio-political movement whose objectives were: Liberation of Africa from Colonialism; Peace; and Emancipation of women from inequality. It grew to embrace all aspects of development. POWA has been restructured along the AU structures, as a continental, regional and local organisation. It is in the process for lobbying for inclusion as a member of AU and not as an observer.
WOCAN Coordinator met and exchanged contact details with the Deputy Chief of Staff of the office of the Chairperson of the AU Madame Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and with the Director of Women in Environment and briefly discussed the participation of this organisation in the WLCAN.