By: Korey Rees

The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) progressed rapidly in its work on women business empowerment and is now in the final stages of producing its report. All substantive work has been completed, and now the report just needs style tweaks. Consensus has remained strong with only Angola and Burkina Faso expressing small reservations on the lack of healthcare recommendations in the report. Representative Sanvi Lamba of Angola said, “everyone’s ideas were clearly heard,” but when asked for other suggestions stated “one possibility would be emphasizing healthcare access as well,” adding to the report’s focus on transportation and water. Representative Ethan Harp of Burkina Faso stated, “As a nation that experiences a lot of instability, we find that it’s the little things that massively improve the lives of the Burkinabé. ” 

The theme of education has been a constant one, with focuses on both business and STEM education prioritized. Representative Sanvi Lamba of Angola explained that STEM classes are important so women can “have those higher paying stem jobs if they have the education to do so.” Representative Laura Hung of Ethiopia added to this discussion emphasizing the importance of scholarships and grants to further incentivize women to study STEM. 

The issue of funding, while contentious, has been tabled to avoid any complications. Representative Sanvi Lamba of Angola said, “funding is not what is important here, but the ideas and recommendations are what is important. ” When asked what these recommendations can accomplish if there is no discussion of funding, Representative Lamba stated “Of course funding is an important aspect. However, as a report writing body, we are not in charge of the funding aspect.” As such the ECA is “prioritizing based on what our body can do at this time.” 

And while the finishing touches are being placed on the first report, ECA has wasted no time having already formed coalitions on the second agenda item: poverty and vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.

_{The views and opinions expressed in this article were part of a simulation of the United Nations held from 18 to 21 November 2023 and do not reflect the views and opinions of the American Model United Nations Conference, American Model United Nations International, LLC., *Anderson University or the governing bodies of the states mentioned in the article.}