Women's Bureau under the Office of the Vice President and Ministry of Women's Affairs, with support from the United Nation Funds for Population Affairs (UNFPA) Thursday validated the first draft of the 2nd periodic report of the African Union (AU) Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, at the NaNA conference hall in Bakau. Making an opening remarks on behalf of the vice president and ministry of Women's Affairs, the deputy speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Fatou Mbay, explained that the development of the second report on the status of implementation of the African Union Solemn Declaration is a requirement for all member states that have ratified and adopted the declation, as part of a wider effort to promote gender equity and equality.