Accountability Report 2024: Generation Equality is delivering tangible, high-impact results.in East and Southern Africa

The Generation Equality Accountability Report 2024 has uncovered significant progress in global commitments toward gender equality, with East and Southern Africa playing a crucial role in advancing this agenda. The report, launched during the Summit of the Future in New York, shows significant financial pledges, policy advancements, and programmatic efforts that are shaping the future of gender equality in the African region. On February 19, UN Women and Generation Equality convened a briefing to present key findings on progress and challenges in East and Southern Africa, shedding light on the region’s collective efforts and the road ahead.

Key findings for East and Southern Africa

The 2024 report highlights that in East and Southern Africa, 16% of commitments have been completed, while 75% are actively in progress. Financial commitments for gender equality made by the different members, including governments, civil society organizations, philanthropies, the private sector and the United Nations, have increased to USD 50.3 billion globally, exceeding the amount announced in Paris in 2021 by 25% . 

• 94% of Commitment Makers support scaling up Generation Equality beyond 2026 as an accelerator of the 2030 Agenda
• 53% of all policy commitments are implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 67% of all advocacy commitments are being implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 1,926 new or scaled-up policies, along with 4,448 new programs and 5,739 advocacy initiatives.
• 77% of commitments prioritize marginalized groups and communities.

High-Impact initiatives in East and Southern Africa

Several initiatives across East and Southern Africa are showing the power of targeted investments and collective action.

In Tanzania, NMB Bank of Tanzania has become a leader in promoting gender equality through its innovative financial inclusion initiatives. As part of its commitment under the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights, NMB Bank launched the Jasiri Gender Bond, exceeding its initial target of $10 million by raising over $30 million. This investment has directly benefited over 6,000 women, supporting 150 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and 300 agricultural businesses. By empowering women through access to financial resources, NMB Bank is driving economic inclusion and setting an example for other institutions to follow, aligning with Tanzania's broader efforts to create a gender-transformative economy.

NMB Bank staff. Photo: UN Women Tanzania

To address sexual and gender-based violence, the government of Kenya integrated centers known as Tumaini clinics have been established within County health facilities in Nairobi, with 38 clinics currently operational. Additionally, private shelters and GBV rescue centers have been set up in 18 counties, providing safe spaces for survivors. To enhance access to justice, 12 Specialized GBV courts have been established to handle GBV cases with sensitivity. The government has also launched a sanitary towels program in public schools to promote menstrual health and school retention. In collaboration with CCGD, Mastercard Foundation, GROOTS Kenya, and CREAW, the Jasiri Fund has been implemented in 10 counties to support survivors and gender-related initiatives. Furthermore, the government, in partnership with non-state actors, has actively worked to end harmful practices like FGM through community engagement programs.

The Female Students Network Trust in Zimbabwe has worked on prevention-focused GBV initiatives in collaboration with GIZ, while Nalafem has trained 20,000 young women in Nigeria and Kenya, and, together with Masterclass, distributed tickets valued at $540,000 to 3,000 young African women, fostering access to education and skill-building.​

In Kenya, the Women Students Mentorship Association (WOSWA) has focused on capacity building, advocacy, and education, reaching 650 young women and girls aged 13 to 35 years old. These initiatives have equipped participants with the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and bodily autonomy.

In South Africa, the Black Womxn Caucus mobilized 90 feminists to participate in the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and climate justice initiatives. Meanwhile, youth activists, in collaboration with UN Women, co-created the Youth Gender Action Plan, developed with input from over 150 experts and grassroots organizations, empowering more than 400 young leaders to influence policymaking.

YWCA Madagascar conducted advocacy against child marriage through schools and families and engaged in national and international advocacy efforts, including proposing anti-child marriage laws.

In Somalia, the federal government has made advances in women's political representation, with women now holding 21% of parliamentary seats and leadership roles in ministries and the police.

Children Investment Fund Foundation’s efforts in Africa have so far supported 245,000 girls to stay in school and provided life skills and GBV training to over 800,000 students.  CIFF works with partners such as CAMFED, Population Council, etc. in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Ghana and Kenya to support 5 million marginalized girls to stay in secondary school. In Kenya, CIFF launched a new $60 million integrated investment for urban poor girls that will tackle cost related barriers to girls’ education, enhance quality of teaching pedagogy, tackle GBV, and improve water and sanitation infrastructure.

The 2024 Accountability Report shows that Generation Equality is a game-changer for gender equality in Africa. As stakeholders continue to mobilize new and expanded commitments, accountability remains at the heart of Generation Equality’s success. The commitment to transparency and delivery ensures that gender equality is not just an aspiration but a reality for millions of women and girls across Africa.

Read the Generation Equality 2024 Accountability Report here