Introduction

The African Gender Forum aims to bring together African women and women from other continents to share experiences and lessons on important current issues from a multi-dimensional perspective which integrates gender, economic, social, and political discussions. The Forum also aims to strengthen the communication and cooperation between actors from the public and economic spheres, with the aim of instilling a culture of solidarity at the continental level.

The Forum allows African women networks to make their own assessment of their situation and to propose strategies for future action.

The first Forum, held in Dakar , Senegal , in May 2005, which was held in partnership with the Arab Women's International Forum and discussed globalization and its impact on women. It showed that economic empowerment and balanced leadership that include women are necessary for a lasting peace.

African Gender Forum 2007 - 'Women and Migration'
The second edition of the African Gender Forum 2007 will feature a dialogue between African women, the African Diaspora, African descendants and other various stakeholders in Africa . The theme of the Forum is Gender and Migration , with the discussions focusing on its economic, social, and political implications.

Regional and international migration plays a critical role in Africa 's economic development, peace and stability. Of the 185 million migrants in the world, more than 50 million are estimated to be Africans. T housands of Africans cross borders and travel overseas in the hope of building a better life. The resulting impact of the brain drain faced by health institutions, universities and the societies in general is colossal.

Further, the impact of this human capital flight is often borne by women who are left behind to care for children. On the other hand women constitute a growing part of migrants in Africa as well as in other continents. Female migrants increasingly include women who are no longer just following their husbands or fathers, but migrate independently.

The Forum will bring together women from all walks of life on the continent, including those from remote areas of Africa , to discuss new strategies to mitigate and minimise the negative impact of migration on the continent's development. It will focus on three key issues:

•  Women and Migration
•  Benefits of Migration: What Added Value for Africa?
•  Roles and responsibilities of the various players

The Forum will propose some solutions to minimize the negative impact of regional and international migration and enhance the benefits of return migration for development .