EAYN Voices Youth Perspectives in EAC Strategic Planning for Gender, Inclusion, and Development
Kampala, Uganda – May 28, 2025
East African Youth Network today joined the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Uganda, through its Department of Social Affairs, at a two-day consultative meeting at Protea Hotel, Kampala, to review the draft East African Community (EAC) Strategic Plan for Gender, Children, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Social Protection, and Community Development (2025/26-2029/30). This people-centered framework is designed to guide inclusive social development across the EAC region, aligning national policies with key regional, continental, and global commitments such as EAC Vision 2050, the 7th EAC Development Strategy, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It integrates international protocols, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, CEDAW, the African Youth Charter, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development.
Speaking at the meeting, Commissioner for Social Affairs at MEACA Uganda, Mr. Sebina Edward, delivered remarks on behalf of Mrs. Edith Mwanje, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of EAC Affairs, Uganda.
Mwanje emphasized that the development of the Strategic Plan is in line with key provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community—notably Articles 5(3e), 120, 121, 122, and 127(4)—which advocate for gender mainstreaming, empowering women in socio-economic development, addressing marginalization, and fostering civil society engagement in regional integration.
She further stated that this second Strategic Plan builds upon lessons from the previous framework and aims to strengthen Uganda’s role in regional social development and integration. The consultative meeting, held in compliance with the 6th Meeting of the Sectoral Council’s directive from June 2023, gathered representatives from government agencies, development partners, and youth organizations to contribute insights and recommendations. In her concluding remarks, Mwanje stressed the importance of promoting gender equality, empowering women and girls, advancing youth development, protecting children, and ensuring better support for persons with disabilities.
The Strategic Plan reflects the vision for a prosperous EAC region with shared opportunities and inclusive growth for all citizens.
The meeting continues tomorrow, focusing on further refinement and validation of the draft plan before submission to the EAC policy-making bodies.
The EAYN team expressed optimism at the work that is being done by the partner states in integrating and mainstreaming youth work at the National Levels.
This meeting also comes at the same time the EAYN is conducting the national consultations on the review and validation of the EAC Youth Policy with Uganda,Kenya and Tanzania already finished their consumptions.