CONCEPT NOTE
Promoting Gender Equity For Socio-Economic Development In Africa.
Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and therefore also half of its potential. But, today gender inequality persists everywhere and stagnates social progress.
Women continue to be underrepresented at all levels of political leadership. Across the globe, and especially in Africa, women and girls perform a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic work. Advancing gender equity is critical to all areas of a healthy society and national economy.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY
Gender equality is a fundamental human right and an integral part of regional integration, economic growth and social development.
The African landscape needs to be more inclusive where all citizens are actively involved in decision making in all aspects and where no child, woman or man is left behind or excluded, on the basis of gender, political affiliation, religion, ethnic affiliation, locality, age or other factors.
CONCEPT NOTE
IMPACT OF WOMEN IN DIASPORA ON GENDER EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF AFRICA
Diasporas are symbol of a nation’s pride and represent their country internationally. They help in building country’s value internationally through their huge success stories
The African Diaspora has implicitly and explicitly served as relevant sources of first-hand knowledge that support the information politics of the women organizations and individual women in Africa. Through linkages with women organizations and individuals in African countries, the African Diaspora has also engaged in the transfer of economic and social remittances toward the economic development, political processes, and the dismantling of structures that constrain the empowerment of women in Africa.
Date: 17th - 19th August, 2023 Venue: Warwick Allerton, Chicago
Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls. It is essential for economic prosperity and growth. Societies that value women and men as equal are safer, healthier and more prosperous.
AWLO 2023 Diaspora Summit is set to hold this August at Chicago, USA.
CONCEPT NOTE
ECONOMIC COST OF GENDER INEQUALITY
A new report finds economic and social discrimination against women is costing Africa more than $100 billion a year. The U.N. Development Program’s 2016 Africa Human Development Report argues closing the gender gap would be a boon for the Continent’s economic and social prospects.
The report finds African women across the board are denied the same kind of economic, social and political opportunities men enjoy. It says women lose out when it comes to education, work and health.
It notes fewer girls than boys go to school, women earn less money than men for paid labor, harmful traditional practices affect their health, and certain cultural norms act as a hindrance to women moving ahead in society.
On the basis of this, investing in gender equality and women’s empowerment is not only a human rights issue, but it is good economics and at the same time a development imperative.
When gender inequality is addressed and overcome, it is going to enhance not only social-economic opportunities of women, but it is going to enhance the growth opportunities of African countries.
The report notes sub-Saharan Africa pays a very high price for maintaining discriminatory gender policies. It estimates total economic losses due to gender inequality in the labor market in 2014 cost the region $105 billion, or six percent of its Gross Domestic Product.
U.N. economists point to Rwanda as one of a few African countries that has increased the level of its human development index — that is, its life expectancy, education, and per capita income — by bridging the gender divide. Other countries need to emulate this to see progress in their economies.
CONCEPT NOTE
Women cooperation and
Social progress
To accelerate and fortify the trend for women of the African diaspora to play a key role in social change, African women in the Diaspora need to create networks and forge alliances with other women of African heritage, across sectors, across the diaspora and within the continent. Co-operation is a vital means of enhancing the separate initiatives for social progress
STRATEGIES FOR GREATER GENDER EQUALITY
The knowledge that gender inequality impedes economic growth should spur the adoption of several strategies to increase gender equality in Africa.
Strategies to be considered for a better, stronger and richer continent includes
One
Promoting women reproductive rights.
Two
Banning early child marriage
Three
Promote increased political participation and representation in political offices.
Four
Ensuring women have ownership of assets and management of resources.
Five
Closing the income gap.
Six
Adoption of gender equality policies, such as political representation quota.