BUJUMBURA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The African continent can fully realize its potential only if girls and women have equal opportunities to learn, succeed, and contribute to the development of their communities, a senior United Nations official said at the second African Union (AU) Pan-African Conference on Girls' and Women's Education.
"The education of girls and women must be placed at the heart of the African development agenda. It is both a fundamental right and a powerful driver of transformation," Violet Kakyomya, United Nations resident coordinator in Burundi, said at the opening of the conference on Thursday in Bujumbura.
Burundian Vice President Prosper Bazombanza said investing in girls means investing in future generations, noting that the education of girls and women opens doors to knowledge, dignity, and empowerment, enabling them to become essential agents of change within the family, the community, and the entire nation.
Burundian National Education and Scientific Research Minister Francois Havyarimana presented the state of girls' and women's education in Burundi, from preschool to higher education.
According to him, girls account for 50.45 percent of preschool enrollment and 51.48 percent of primary school students, reflecting relatively equitable access to education at the lower levels. However, female enrollment declines after primary school, with girls making up only about 25 percent of undergraduate university students.
Havyarimana indicated that Burundi is committed to pursuing reforms aimed at strengthening equity, inclusion, and the quality of education for all, with particular emphasis on expanding educational opportunities for girls and women.
Held under the theme "Prioritizing Girls and Women's Education: Develop their skills and accelerate learning and training opportunities," the three-day conference brought together representatives from nearly 40 African countries.
Participants are expected to exchange experiences and discuss strategies to expand education and skills development opportunities for girls and women, enabling them to make greater contributions to the development of their countries and the African continent as a whole. ■