Denga Ndaitwah calls for inclusive gender equality at African summit

First gentleman Denga Ndaitwah urged an inclusive approach to gender equality, stressing that empowering women, girls, and boys are mutually supportive goals. Speaking at the fundraising gala of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in Angola, he highlighted the need to keep boys in school, steer them away from crime and substance abuse, and support their academic aspirations.

Ndaitwah cited UNESCO data showing 132 million boys of primary and secondary age are out of school worldwide and are more likely than girls to repeat grades. He proposed renaming the organisation to the Organisation of African First Spouses and Development to reflect broader inclusion and pledged his office’s support to close the disparity between boys and girls in education and social development.