Celebrating Pan-African Women’s Day Through The .africa Domain Name

Pan-African Women’s Day is celebrated continent-wide on the 31st of July.

It is a significant day to honour and recognise African women’s achievements, struggles, and contributions on the continent and around the world. That is why, this Women’s Day, we want to encourage women to register a .africa domain, encourage an accurate and diverse portrayal of Africa online, and support women in playing a part in this narrative.

Pan-African Women’s Day

2019 marked the 57th anniversary of the Pan-African Women’s Organisation (PAWO), a Specialised Agency of the African Union (AU) dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

In a statement commemorating the day, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat highlighted the importance of Pan-African Women’s Day, which celebrates the Foremothers of Africa who fought for the continent’s liberation and development. He emphasised that African women who work as farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, scientists, and leaders in various sectors remain the backbone of economies.

Chairperson Mahamat reiterated his commitment to achieving gender parity in the AU workforce by 2025 and ensuring dignity and protection for all forcibly displaced women and girls in Africa. He stressed that it is the collective responsibility of Africans to hold themselves and their leaders accountable for delivering on gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments.

Additional Women’s Day Celebrations in Africa

In addition to pan-African Women’s Day on 31 July (each year), International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March (each year). Initiated in the early 1900s, IWD and the women’s rights movement have evolved over time and focus on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

Across Africa, Women’s Day celebrations are unique to each country. 

In Mauritius, Women’s Day was celebrated on 25 February 2024, and like in many other countries, there was a focus on the 2024 IWD theme “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” which aims to achieve gender equality in all aspects of life to create prosperous economies. Initiatives for IWD, saw the World Food Programme (WFP) seek to bring relief to the women in the DRC amidst the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in a lack of food resources.

Although IWD is celebrated across the world, in some countries, there are additional Women’s Day celebrations commemorating historical events.

In Egypt, 16 March (each year) is Women’s Day due to the women’s protest of 16 March during the 1919 Revolution. This revolution protested against the British occupation, bringing independence to Egypt.

In South Africa, Women’s Day is celebrated on 9 August (each year) to commemorate the 1956 march of about 20,000 women of all races organised by the Federation of South African Women (FSAW) to oppose the Apartheid government.

Celebrating Women’s Day At Registry Africa

The women at Registry Africa have shed light on how the .africa team is working to fulfil the African Union’s promise for Pan-African Women’s Day. 

Registry Africa, the Registry Operator for the .africa domain name across the African continent, has introduced a comprehensive training program for potential registrars. 

Dineo Mathebula from Team .africa offered her thoughts on the program, “This program, which focuses on empowering female participants, trains participants in understanding DNS fundamentals and practical skills in DNS management.”

Dineo offered further insight, stating, “After completing this training, more females will be able to open and operate their own establishments within the DNS space and take up their space within their respective workplaces.”

Mireshnie Pillay, also from Team .africa, echoed these sentiments saying, ” In this digital era, women in Africa can leverage a .africa domain name as a catalyst to emerge as leaders in their industries and achieve economic independence aligned with the African Union Commission’s strategy.”

Registry Africa prides itself on their commitment to empowering Africans near and far to make their mark in the digital space.

Register your .africa Domain Name

Pan-Africanism Online

Pan-African Women’s Day also offers an opportunity for women to embrace and take charge of their African identity online. The .africa domain name is the perfect domain name for this.

Pan-Africanism’s ideology is that people of African descent have common interests and should be unified.

However, as the world becomes more connected and easily accessible, cultural preservation and expression face the challenge of being lost in the overcrowded online space.

Taking charge of this digital space offers African women a powerful platform to amplify their voices and connect with a global audience.

“To girls and women everywhere, I issue a simple invitation. My sisters, my daughters, my friends; find your voice.”

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia 

Registering a domain name, .africa, is a significant step towards this empowerment.

Women Embracing Domain Registration

For Entrepreneurship

• You can increase visibility, attracting investors and customers keen to engage with African brands.
• The .africa domain can also help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) compete globally, showcasing their innovation and quality to a broader audience.

“When it comes to doing my job, I keep my ego in handbag”.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of WTO Nigeria

For Community

• The .africa domain supports initiatives and movements celebrating African culture and identity, helping build supportive communities online.
• This unity is crucial for addressing common challenges and leveraging collective strengths to drive development and growth across the continent.

“If the history of Africa was written by Africans and by women, I think we would find many unsung heroes”.

Sahle-Work Zewde, President of Ethiopia

For Presence

• Whether it’s a cultural institution, a tech startup, or an individual artist, the .africa domain helps elevate your website to be seen in the crowded online space.
• This improved digital presence can lead to more significant opportunities for collaboration, funding, and international partnerships, further driving innovation and development.

“It’s the little things citizens do. That’s what will make the difference.” 

Wangari Maathai, Kenyan Activist & Noble Peace Prize Winner

Register Your Domain Name

By adopting the .africa domain, African women can play their part in bridging pan-Africanism to the online space, where Africans can unite worldwide.

How do I register a .africa domain?

1. Choose Your Domain Name: Select a name representing your business, brand, identity, or cause. Ensure it is clear, relevant, and impactful.
2. Check Availability: Use domain registration platforms to check if your desired .africa domain name is available.
3. Register Your Domain: Follow the registration process, providing the necessary information and completing any required steps.
4. Build Your Online Presence: Once registered, use your .africa domain to build a website, promote your brand, and connect with global audiences.

The .africa domain is not just a web address; it’s a symbol of African unity and pride.

Register your .africa Domain Name

For more information, visit our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)