The International Women’s Day is being celebrated this year under the theme “Invest in women: accelerate progress”. I am really pleased with such a theme. Truly, more investment is needed for women. We need to fill the gap. Particularly in Africa, where for many years, cultural practices and traditional values used to prioritize boys’ education rather than girls’, for instance!

I would like to dwell on this second aspect of the theme. As often said, “If you educate a girl, a woman, you educate a whole nation...” We have been saying it over and over again, the development of our regions, countries, continent, water and sanitation sector will not be achieved without women. We are all aware of that and we keep on repeating it. Africa needs to invest more in women’s education and training, in all areas. Then, the question is: When? How? In my opinion, things are moving far too slowly! As time goes by…with the challenges we are facing today, it’s urgent to act. Act so that women take their rightful place, on the front, on all fronts, at the same pace as men, and together converge towards inclusive and beneficial development for all...
Speed up women's training in science, technology, and leadership.…

Beyond words and slogans, we must move towards concrete actions driven by proactive and assertive policies!

We need to invest more in women's training in science, technology, and leadership