DailySun
Currently, women in Africa have greater access to education, healthcare, and opportunities than ever before. Yet, a significant disparity between them and their male counterparts highlights the ongoing struggle for gender equality. The statistics are stark: one in three women still encounter physical or sexual violence, and women typically spend twice as many hours on unpaid domestic tasks compared to men. Furthermore, no African nation offers women comprehensive legal protection.
This situation fills me with both frustration and hope as I recognize our progress while acknowledging the substantial work still needed.
Nearly thirty years ago, 189 global leaders left the Fourth World Conference on Women with renewed hope, committing their nations to the Beijing Platform for Action—an ambitious road map aimed at eliminating gender inequality. However, as nations evaluate their advancements today, none have met those pledges. The 2023 Africa Gender Index report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank indicates that we are only halfway to achieving gender equality. The journey ahead remains extensive, and progress has been painfully sluggish.
The implications are severe. The inability to eradicate gender inequality incurs significant costs: economic stagnation, weakened social frameworks, instability, and wasted human talent—factors that hinder Africa’s endeavors towards the Sustainable Development Goals. If we do not act now, we risk heading towards a future plagued by growing inequality, injustice, and instability—an outcome that is intolerable.
As we contemplate the commitments made in Beijing, it is crucial for all of us to hold ourselves accountable and to take bold political and financial steps to change our current course. Our analysis identifies five key areas where concentrated efforts over the next five years could pave the way to achieving gender equality by 2030.
First, while the number of women in full-time employment has increased, they still shoulder the majority of caregiving duties, encounter discrimination, and suffer from harmful stereotypes. It is essential for governments and businesses to dismantle the barriers preventing women’s career growth. History shows that providing women with equal opportunities is not just the right thing to do; it is also a wise move that can increase the GDP of emerging markets and developing countries by an average of 23%.
Second, as digitalization transforms the employment landscape, many women are being left behind. By 2023, only 32% of women in Africa had internet access. This digital divide leads to lost opportunities and results in economic losses amounting to millions of dollars annually for African economies. It is urgent that we ensure digital services are accessible and that we enhance digital literacy, allowing all women to engage equally in the digital sphere.
Third, despite improvements in maternal mortality rates, we cannot overlook the fact that healthcare remains out of reach for countless women. Governments must prioritize making healthcare accessible to all women, regardless of their geographic or economic circumstances. Investing in women’s health not only saves lives but is also economically beneficial, as every dollar spent generates $3 in economic growth.
Fourth, although women in Africa now enjoy nearly equal access to primary, secondary, and tertiary education, this progress has yet to translate into equal representation in leadership or economic power. The proportion of women in African parliaments has risen by merely one percent, from 25% in 2021 to 26% in 2024. Without women’s voices in leadership, we risk perpetuating the inequalities we strive to combat.
Lastly, we must tackle the harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and legal impediments that restrict women’s access to resources and leadership roles. Addressing these entrenched issues demands not just the vigorous enforcement of laws and policies, but also a cultural shift that involves policymakers, corporate leaders, community elders, faith leaders, and every individual.
These challenges are not new. While some may seem insurmountable, they are not impossible to overcome. Africa has shown remarkable successes, such as Tunisia’s increase in female graduates in science, Rwanda’s notable decrease in cervical cancer rates, and Namibia’s gender-equal parliament. These success stories remind us that change is attainable when we invest in effective strategies. In this effort, data is vital in directing and monitoring initiatives based on evidence rather than assumptions. However, when it comes to women and girls, necessary data is often insufficient, leaving many issues unrecognized and unaddressed. To achieve real progress, we must improve our data capabilities to create a more comprehensive understanding.
In a world increasingly focused on pressing challenges, gender equality is too often sidelined. We can no longer afford to be complacent or operate as usual. If we persist on our current path, we may find gender equality 300 years away. This situation is unacceptable.
We call upon leaders across all sectors to renew their commitments to the goals set forth in Beijing and to invest in substantial changes necessary to address the persistent gender inequality. Only by doing so can we transform equality from a distant aspiration into a reality within our lifetimes. I am confident that this is achievable, but it requires immediate collective action.
