Nigeria Content Online

It is evident that
African women are the backbone of national economies. From the
grassroots to national level, the womenfolk are involved in all spheres
of development. Apart from performing all domestic chores, many of them
also farm and trade. They are also responsible for taking care of the
children, the sick and the elderly, in addition to performing essential
social functions within their communities. About half of our
economically active female labour force is employed in agriculture and
their responsibilities and labour inputs sometimes exceed those of the
men. All these efforts are mainly geared towards the survival of the
children.

In fact, many
people who today are benefiting from the fruits of education have their
mothers to thank for it. The women are also increasingly getting
recognised due to their energetic efforts to organise, articulate their
concerns and make their voices heard. At both grassroots and national
levels, more women associations have been formed. They have taken
advantage of the political openings to assert their leadership and
developmental roles. They are also pressing for an expansion of women’s
economic and social opportunities, and the advancement of women’s
rights. By improving their own positions, they are simultaneously
strengthening society as a whole, as well as enhancing the nation’s
broader development prospects.

The deputy
minister of Agriculture was indeed right in observing that African
women produce 80 percent of the continent’s basic food.

His observation
shows that state technocrats are increasingly recognising the roles of
women at the grassroots level for eventual full integration in national
development programmes.

However, despite
the huge contributions of women in the development of Africa, in some
parts of the continent their contributions have not translated into
significantly improved access to resources or increased decision-making
powers. Neither has the dynamism that women display in the economic,
cultural and social lives of their communities through their
associations and informal networks been channelled into creating new
models of participation and leadership.

A comprehensive
approach must be taken by governments in conjunction with development
agencies and women themselves to remove the social, economic and legal
constraints on women. Regional actions are also needed for implementing
the African Common Position for the Advancement of Women and the
Platform of Action adopted in Beijing. And national action plans must
be designed in broad consultation with women’s groups to complement
regional initiatives.

The advancement of
the welfare of African women should be the primary objective of all
countries.

Courtesy Daily Observer, The Gambia