The envisaged panel discussion brought the gender issues and the positive role that volunteerism can play in advancing reparatory justice and building a more equitable and just Africa as envisioned in the AU theme of the Year: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations". This theme focuses on addressing historical injustices, including the trans-Atlantic slave trade and colonialism, and is a call for reparations and racial healing.
The objectives of the envisaged panel discussion were to:
1. Discuss how the legacy of colonialism and slavery disproportionately affected women of African and African descent, undermining their roles, rights, and dignity in social, political, and economic spheres.
2. Explore the efforts of reparatory justice in Africa and how women and gender issues were and are embedded.
3. Discuss how to promote volunteerism as a transformative tool that empowers communities and accelerates the advancement of gender justice, equity, and inclusion within broader reparative processes.
4. Showcase and elevate successful models and case studies where volunteer-led initiatives have tangibly contributed to gender-responsive reparatory justice and community healing, particularly for women and girls.