The Project Affirmative Procurement Reform in West Africa supports women economic empowerment through policy reforms, institutional strengthening of public sector institutions and capacity building of women-owned/-led businesses to access procurement opportunities in Senegal, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali. This newsletter is distributed every six months, covering the journey of the project implementation across the most important events, outcomes, perspectives and other relevant information on gender responsive procurement.

The highlights of this issue : Message by UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on International Women's Day, 8 March 2016 - IWD commemorations in Botswana: A birthstone for UN Women’s office in Gaborone - UN Women in Ethiopia Commemorates International Women’s Day with Women Innovators and Entrepreneurs - Kenya National Action Plan (KNAP) for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 launched on International Women’s Day - Mozambique Celebrates International Women’s Day - International Women’s Day Celebration in Ethiopia - Zimbabwe steps out to step up for gender equality - Launch of the 13th edition of the Women First 5km Run of Ethiopia.

The highlights of this issue : UN Women and Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Ring the Bell for GenderEquality - Empowered Woman Transforms Lives in Rural Ethiopia - Women Situation Room observes peaceful elections in Uganda - UN Women hosts Women in Energy side event at the 2016 Africa Energy Indaba - UN Women hosts a breakfast meeting on Women, Peace and security at the High Level Ministerial Partnership Forum on Somali - Burundi improves the lives of women and communities by fighting against sexual and gender-based violence...

It is with great pleasure that we reach out to you following a highly successful launch of the HeForShe campaign in Ethiopia and subsequent months of strong commitment pledged to the Campaign. The December launch at Capital Hotel was a beautiful event where men and women came together to boldly declare that gender equality is not just a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue. Since the launch an increasing number of men have signed up for the Campaign, recognizing that we must all be equal partners to create a gender equal world...

The highlights of this issue : Using Technology to Empower Women and Girls in Kenya - Launching Courts and Tribunals audiences on SGBV cases - Ms. Ban Soon-Taek visits Menagesha Pottery Cooperative in Ethiopia - UN Women SAMCO Business Skills Training Programme Awarded Bridge Funding for 2016 - The Embassy of Sweden and UN Women sign 3-year agreement to support gen-der equality and women’s empowerment in Uganda - ”No Development without Women’s Rights” – UN Women at the January 2016 Africa Union Summit....

The highlights of this issue : Breaking the Glass Ceiling - The Government of Japan supports Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women in South Sudan - Ethiopia commemorates the International Human Rights Day and marks the close of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against Gender-Based Violence ...

The highlights of this issue : UN Women ESARO Hosts the First Joint Regional Peer Review Group Meeting Lives of women entrepreneurs in pottery cooperative in Addis Ababa improved Sudan launches the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) Women Entrepreneurs in Rwanda Call for Improved Access to Financing and Training Opportunities UN Women SAMCO and Edgars UNiTE to Orange the World ACTIL & UN Women ESARO hold a Regional Training for Building Gender Respon-sive National...

The highlights of this issue : - UN Women Regional Director for West and Central Africa ends high level visit to Cameroon - CAFE GENRE : Contribution des hommes et des garçons à la promotion de l’égalité de genre et l’autonomisation des femmes - Gender sensitive budgeting: cameroonian women leaders poised to re-dynamize monitoring, advocacy actions ...