Tackling Poverty and Gender Inequalities in Africa by Teresa Abila

There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.Tackling poverty and gender inequality in Africa are part of the Millennium Development Goals that include commitment to reduce extreme poverty and elevating women position.

In Africa, women discrimination is very evident in terms of education, child marriages, harmful practices, domestic violence, economic empowerment, leadership and reproductive health. With these, poverty is deemed constant in Africa. In settings where limited educational or economic opportunities exist, pressure of poverty lead women and young girls to find means of survival at all cost.

Harmful practices, such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), leave young girls with health problems that make them weak and even some die. In male dominated societies, where women have no say, these female counterparts are used as objects to fend for food and look after the families. Most of them are physically assaulted (dog beatings) by their spouses. Now, such women are not economically motivated and they shy off - believing they can't do anything meaningful. Continue...

Attempting to solve immense and complex issues such as these may seem overwhelming. There is need for us, future leaders, to acknowledge the importance of addressing women economic and social empowerment if development is anything to go by. In unison, we should ensure women, youth priorities especially in rural, arid and semi arid areas, are reflected in policy and practice and create gender and equality network. 

With this, we'll bring change because I believe, there is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting someone else up. 

WE ARE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE, LETS ACT!

 Teresa Abila

YALI Forum Member, Kenya.