Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Africa calls for more economic empowerment for women
A poster for the 10th Congress of Pan-African Women's Organization
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
The Pan-African Women's Organization (PAWO) has called for enhanced efforts to empower African women economically in the lead-up to International Women's Day, March 8.
Founded in 1962, the PAWO is Africa's first and oldest women's organization.
During its 10th congress last week, it concluded that although the continent has made much progress in achieving gaps in gender equality, parity and empowerment, more still needs to be done.
The conclusion is in accordance with International Women's Day observed by the United Nations to recognize and promote the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
PAWO President Assetou Koite called for a maximum investment in women to reduce discrimination and enhance their participation in social issues.
She also asked all 55 African Union (AU) member states to create an enabling environment for women and girls, including those in rural areas, by ensuring that they participated in the bottom-top approach to eradicate poverty.
“Economic empowerment on the African continent can only be attained if women occupy high political and social positions,” the AU quoted her as saying. “We must make efforts in a number of areas to ensure women achieve education and also take advantage of the emerging opportunities in science and technology.
“We must eliminate the obstacles and discrimination women face in terms of access to financing.”
Meanwhile, Namibian President Hage Geingob underscored the contribution of the women's organizations including PAWO for Africans to attain human dignity, and break the chains of oppression, when he lauded the African leaders' recent decision to declare 2020-30 as the new Decade for African Women's Financial and Economic Inclusion.
President Geingob noted that Namibia had prioritized gender parity as a means of addressing historical imbalances and injustices toward women.
He explained that 46 percent of Namibia's parliament was comprised of women and also that the government's leadership positions are required to be filled 50 percent by women.
“To further demonstrate our commitment to enhance capacity on gender equality, Namibia is in the process of establishing an International Women's Peace Centre, which will focus on national, regional, and international conflict resolutions and management activities, as well as aspects of mediation and negotiations,” he said.
“I however urge you, that as we focus on the girl-child, we should not forget the boy-child. In addition, youth should be empowered in order for the continent to benefit from their vast and untapped potential.”
Citing AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman's special representative Hawa Ahmed Youssouf underscored eliminating all forms of discrimination against women to ensure full participation in the economic, political and social development of their countries.
Faki has regularly observed that despite the suffering of women and children during conflicts, women have always demonstrated their resilience to fight the scourge of poverty and they remained the agents of change the continent needed.
“PAWO has paved the way for accelerating women rights on the continent,” he was quoted as saying. “We must therefore do more to ensure the women and girls are actively involved in the development of Africa.
“We commit to accelerate African women's action toward achieving sustainable economic development for the realization of AU Agenda 2063.”
The commission's Acting Director of the Women and Gender Development Directorate Victoria Maloka highlighted that the AU's Agenda 2063 and the Agenda 2030 recognized the critical agency of women and youth.
She underlined the need for more action to drive the implementation of policies on gender equality and parity, such the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa.
So far, 42 of the AU member states have ratified the protocol.
“If our member states ratify and fully implement this protocol, women will greatly benefit from the civil and political, economic, social and cultural as well as environmental rights for women envisioned in the protocol,” Maloka said.
“This congress is a good reflection of the commitment to promote equal opportunities for men and women, and I urge you that we all take the advocacy role with us wherever we go.”
The PAWO's objectives aim to unite all African women's organizations to allow an exchange of points of view and to undertake joint action, eliminate any form of discrimination irrespective of birth, race and religion or sex and establish lasting relations of friendship and cooperation between women in Africa and throughout the world.