AU/CIEFFA is Calling for Proposals: Scientific Articles on Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa 2025

Organized by the African Union International Centre for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA)
Deadline for Abstract Submission: 08 August 2025

The African Union International Centre for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA) invites researchers, academics, and graduate scholars to submit proposals for scientific articles aligned with the Centre’s four strategic axes, as part of its 2021–2025 Strategic Plan.

As a specialized institution of the African Union, AU/CIEFFA is dedicated to advancing gender equality in education, with a focus on empowering girls and women across the continent. This initiative is part of AU/CIEFFA’s ongoing efforts to foster evidence-based research that informs policy, supports innovation, and strengthens education systems in Africa.

Strategic Context

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, AU/CIEFFA leads continent-wide efforts to promote inclusive, quality education for girls and women. The current Strategic Plan (2021–2025) prioritizes four core thematic axes:

1. Gender-sensitive educational frameworks
2. Curriculum reform and teacher training
3. Skills development in STEAM and technical/vocational training
4. Education in emergencies and humanitarian contexts

Through this call, AU/CIEFFA aims to gather high-quality academic contributions that enhance the African Union’s policy work and contribute to research and knowledge production across the continent.

Objectives of the Call

This call for proposals seeks to:

• Encourage scholarly exploration of AU/CIEFFA’s thematic areas
• Promote rigorous analysis of gender and education in Africa
• Support policy-oriented recommendations grounded in research
• Facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars and practitioners
• Strengthen African-led research and continental knowledge ecosystems

Thematic Areas for Submission

Proposals must align with one of the four AU/CIEFFA strategic areas:

1. Gender-Sensitive Educational Frameworks

• Inclusive and gender-transformative education policy
• Strategies to enhance girls’ access and retention in school
• Impact of socio-cultural norms on girls’ and women’s learning pathways

2. Curriculum Reform and Teacher Training

• Innovative pedagogical approaches to gender-inclusive education
• Gender-sensitive teacher training programs
• Evaluation of curricula for inclusivity and gender responsiveness

3. STEAM and Technical/Vocational Skills Development

• Barriers to girls’ participation in STEAM disciplines
• Strategies for advancing girls’ access to vocational and technical education
• Public-private partnerships to support female skills acquisition

4. Education in Emergencies and Humanitarian Settings

• Effects of conflict and crisis on education for girls and women
• Strategies to ensure educational continuity for displaced or at-risk girls
• Roles of institutions and communities in crisis-affected education provision

Eligibility Criteria

This call is open to:

• Researchers and scholars in social sciences, education, gender studies, and related fields
• Master’s, doctoral, and post-doctoral students working on gender and education
• African and international academic or research institutions engaged in gender equality in African education systems

Submission Guidelines

All proposals must be submitted by 08 August 2025 and include the following:

1. Abstract (250–300 words): Clearly specify the chosen theme, research question, methodology, and anticipated findings
2. Full Article (upon selection): 3,000–6,000 words in English or French, excluding references, following academic formatting and citation standards
3. Academic CV of the author(s)
4. The article must be original and unpublished, using empirical data or well-defined case studies

Evaluation Process

A scientific committee will review all submissions. Articles will be evaluated based on:

• Originality
• Scientific rigor
• Relevance to AU/CIEFFA’s strategic goals

Selected papers will be published in AU/CIEFFA’s research outputs and may be included in a dedicated scientific journal or strategic publications.

Researcher Benefits

• Publication through an African Union-recognized platform
• Increased visibility within the African education and gender policy community
• Opportunity to present at a scientific symposium hosted by AU/CIEFFA
• Contribution to the AU’s long-term research and policy agenda

Submission Details

Send proposals and required documents via email to:

📧 [email protected]
cc: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject line: Submission – AU/CIEFFA Call for Articles Proposals

For additional information, please visit the AU/CIEFFA official website.

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