21st. Century African Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment
Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda
As the world celebrates International Women's Day today, it is essential to reflect on the progress made towards achieving gender equality and empowering African women and girls.
In this article we want to look at the challenges facing African women and girls, the progress made, and the way forward.
Challenges Facing African Women and Girls
African women and girls face numerous challenges that hinder their ability to exercise their rights and reach their full potential. Some of the most significant challenges include:
Limited access to education:
Many African girls are denied access to education due to cultural, social, and economic barriers.
Violence and abuse:
African women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence and abuse, including domestic violence, rape, and female genital mutilation.
Limited economic opportunities:
Women in Africa face significant barriers to economic empowerment, including limited access to credit, markets, and technology.
Lack of representation:
Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in Africa, including in politics, business, and civil society.
Progress Made
Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made towards achieving gender equality and empowering African women and girls. Some of the notable achievements include:
Increased access to education:
More African girls are accessing education than ever before, with significant improvements in enrollment rates and completion rates.
Advances in women's health:
There have been significant improvements in women's health in Africa, including reductions in maternal mortality rates and increased access to reproductive health services.
Increased representation:
More women are taking on leadership positions in Africa, including in politics, business, and civil society.
Growing women's movement:
The women's movement in Africa is growing in strength and influence, with more women's organizations and networks emerging to advocate for women's rights.
The Way Forward
While progress has been made, much work remains to be done to achieve gender equality and empower African women and girls. There is therefore the need for:
Increased investment in girls' education:
Governments and donors must invest more in girls' education to ensure that all African girls have access to quality education.
Strengthening laws and policies:
Governments must strengthen laws and policies to protect women's rights and prevent violence and abuse.
Economic empowerment:
Women must have access to economic opportunities, including credit, markets, and technology, to achieve economic empowerment.
Leadership development:
Women must be supported to take on leadership positions in Africa, including in politics, business, and civil society.
Conclusion
As we celebrate International Women's Day today, we must recognize the progress made towards achieving gender equality and empowering African women and girls. However, we must also acknowledge the significant challenges that remain and commit to working together to address them.
As we move forward, we must prioritize the rights, equality, and empowerment of African women and girls. We must work together to create a world where all women and girls can reach their full potential and live their lives with dignity and respect.
Happy International Women's Day!
Dr. Gloria Laraba Shoda,
President of the Africa Regional Council of Women (ARCW) and former President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), is a Board Member of the International Council of Women, ICW.
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