IWD Statement 2018
IWD Statement 2018
African Democracy Forum International Women’s Day Statement
The African Democracy Forum would like to join the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Day. It is the opportunity for us as Africans and as global citizens to remember, to acknowledge and celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. There has been remarkable progress in democratic interface and women becoming part of governance in Africa. We celebrate women like the former president of Malawi H.E Joyce Banda and the former president of Liberia H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. We recognize countries like Rwanda where 64% of parliamentary seats are occupied by women; the only country in the world with the highest number of women in parliament.
However, this day is also a reminder that we as Africans still need to work hard in order to achieve gender parity. For decades, women and girls in Africa have faced discriminations and inequalities in the workplace which, not only affected them negatively but hurt their families, communities and countries as a whole. For many years, studies have been conducted and we as people have observed and can all agree that poverty in Africa will not be reduced without empowering women and girls and finally achieving gender equality.
The African Democracy Forum believes that family planning, maternal health services and education for girls are some of the ways to improve economic opportunities for women. The organization also believes that healthy, educated girls with equal access to opportunities can grow into smart women who can take on leadership roles in their countries. Although most governments in Africa have acknowledged that empowering women and girls is the key contributor to economic development, the transition has been the slowest compared to other global regions.
Civil society organizations in Africa need to work hand in hand with their respective governments across Africa to accelerate the eradication of a lack of education for girls, child marriage, rape, child, girls and women trafficking as well as violence against women. Let’s also remember that empowering women is not necessarily about getting educated, finding a job, challenging patriarchy or becoming economically independent but rather to pursue what she wishes to pursue while living a dignified life. It is high time women start exercising their freedom and rights.
The African Democracy Forum is dedicated and committed to work with the necessary organizations and stakeholders in strengthening women’s roles as leaders, entrepreneurs, consumers and economic stakeholders which in the end will transform the African continent for the better.