The Gender and Social Affairs Division in the COMESA Secretariat exists to promote and provide leadership, direction and oversight towards the achievement of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE), Youth Empowerment, and Social and Cultural Development in the Member States, at the Secretariat and in COMESA Institutions.

The Division sets out to achieve this purpose through promotion of the implementation of the COMESA Gender Policy, Gender Mainstreaming, Advocacy and Capacity Building, implementation of the COMESA Health Framework, HIV and AIDS Policy, COMESA Youth Programme, COMESA Social Charter, Council Decisions, and targeted initiatives to advance women and youth.

The Division champions Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Health, Employment, Social Development, Drug Control, Sport and Cultural agenda to ensure the inclusion of women, youth and social development in the COMESA regional development agenda.

The work on Gender Equality, Women Empowerment, Youth Empowerment and Social Affairs is founded on the COMESA Treaty, and guided by the COMESA Gender Policy, continental and global frameworks and commitments.