International Women’s Day & Africa: Achievements Worth Acknowledging

The global community recognized and celebrated the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women on March 8. International Women’s Day, an annual initiative by the United Nations, is intended to be a global campaign. However, in some regions the celebration of gender parity achievements is not present in the mainstream. Patrimonial societies have characterized the African continent for centuries. All across Africa, constitutions often fail to provide women with the same rights as men, and cultural practices can include female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and child brides.

Despite the lack of coverage, Africa has much to celebrate when it comes to the progress of gender parity. The continent has a long history of courageous women leaders and women-led movements. In recognition of the significant role women play in the continent’s development, the African Union (AU), whose commission includes an equal amount of men and women, designated 2015 as the year of the women’s empowerment. The role of women in state government and within the AU goes to show that it’s not just talk; the move towards gender parity in Africa is real.

One of Africa’s most admirable advancements in gender parity is the continent’s growing number of women holding national government positions. Africa’s nations have seen a steady increase in women’s political participation since the mid-1990s, and today the continent boasts some of the world’s highest rates of representation overall. In terms of representation, Rwanda, where women hold 64% of legislative seats, is ranked first in the world.

African women have also played an important role in bringing an end to a number of the continent’s conflicts and have contributed to post-conflict reconstruction. Liberia’s 14 year civil war was ultimately brought to an end by a non-violent women’s campaign for peace in 2003.

The study and assessment of these trends is relatively new, but research by the United Nations has found that the inclusion of women’s voices in policy making and peacekeeping operations yields better overall outcomes.

Other development sectors such as public health and education have also seen improvements as a result of women-led movements. Female doctors and nurses were at the forefront in the fight against Ebola. In the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia has adopted a women-centered health system composed of health extension workers and trained local women. Since its implementation in 2003, this system has expanded the provision of healthcare to rural communities. In South Africa the #FeesMustFall student protest movement were led and organized women.

All this is not to say that women in Africa are not facing real challenges. Even the success stories of the continent may have underlying flaws and, like women around the world, African women are subjected to a reality marred with inequalities. Still, it is essential to recognize the progress that has been made as the continent continues to make strides towards gender parity.