African women and economic development

A series of studies and recent global conferences have indicated the serious social and economic costs to society of excluding women from development strategies and decision-making processes. Closing the gender-gap, giving recognition to women's development contributions and enhancing their participation at all levels of leadership are essential not only for achieving social justice, but also for reducing poverty and ensuring sustainable growth.

In this regard, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) took the opportunity of its 40th anniversary to organize an international conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from April 28-May 1, 1998 under the theme: "African Women and Economic Development: Investing in our Future". Some 500 delegates attended the event, which brought together representatives from international agencies, governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, regional and sub-regional organizations, and the youth.

The conference aimed at empowering women across the African continent by sharing experiences on how public policies should equalize opportunities between women and men, and re-direct resources to those investments in which women's participation brings about the highest social return. The conference also focused on forging partnerships for post-conference implementation of recommended actions and programs at the country level. In addition, the conference aimed at drawing lessons from ongoing efforts to implement the Beijing Program of Action which was adopted at the close of the Fourth UN World Conference on Women organized in Beijing, China, in 1995, and which reflects an important global consensus on the urgent need to promote gender equality.

Several distinguished speakers addressed the ECA conference, including ECA's Executive Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Y. Amoako; the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity, Mr. Salim Ahmed Salim; and the UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan. In his key-note address entitled "Post-Beijing: the United Nations and African Women", Mr. Annan cautioned that Africa's economic development could be set back by conflict and civil unrest, which still afflicts many African societies. He observed that conflicts affect women disproportionately, and hailed the role of women in keeping together the body and soul of African societies. He then deplored the injustice that women are excluded from decision-making, and urged African women and men to reject all discrimination and violations against women.

A key feature of the conference was the participatory approach adopted throughout the sessions. This allowed the participants to share experiences and best practice, and to take stock of the many contributions of African women to sustainable socio-economic development, and their important role in productive processes and the alleviation of poverty. There were ample opportunities for interaction, networking, and the forging of equitable partnerships.

The participants were also involved in identifying and developing concerted, multi-pronged strategies for action to enhance the role of women in the African economy in the 21st century. While progress has been made in improving the status of women, much remains to be done to ensure their full participation in African societies.

The OPEC Fund sponsored this important event with the extension in March 1998 of a grant to help finance the overall organization of the conference, and the participation of some members of African civil society, especially the low-income groups who would not, otherwise, have been able to attend. Some of those sponsored were key people, serving as facilitators and resource persons, and ensuring that strategic actions were developed from the discussions. According to UNECA, the Fund's financial contribution was a major input without which the conference would not have been possible. The Fund's assistance was part of a consistent strategy adopted by the institution to promote gender equality and help improve the situation of women at all levels.


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