The African Union strategy on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) 2018-2028 which was launched during the AU Summit February 2019 is based on an inclusive and multi-sectorial approach and builds on the lessons learned from 2009 gender policy. The GEWE strategy is a framework document to strengthen women’s agency in Africa and ensure that women’s voices are amplified and their concerns are fully addressed through, among others, effective implementation of legislation and proper financing of gender work. It is transformational in that its outcomes aim to mitigate, if not eliminate the major constraints hindering gender equality and women’s empowerment, so that women and girls may participate fully in economic activities, political affairs and social endeavors. It is equally a guiding document on the implementation of the AU’s GEWE commitments and is to be used to design transformational programmes that bring results for African women and girls on the continent and in the diaspora.
The strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) sets forth a plan to realize aspiration 6 of the African union’s agenda 2063; “an Africa where development is people driven, relying upon the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth and caring for women,” and the principles enshrined in Article 4(I) of the AU’s Constitutive Act: “promotion of gender equality” as well as key continental and global commitments.
In line with Aspiration 6 of Agenda 2063, The goal of the strategy is “full gender equality in all spheres of life.” The strategy is informed by the findings of the 2009 policy evaluation, which translates into gender mainstreaming in all sectors including legislation and legal protection; economic empowerment and peace and security. It has a Theory of Change, which shows how specific actions and interventions will generate positive outcomes under the strategy’s four pillars:
- Maximising (economic) Outcomes, Opportunities and Tech E Dividends;
- Dignity, Security and Resilience;
- Effective Laws, Polices and Institutions; and
- Leadership, Voice and Visibility
In a push to make gender issues more visible, the African Union launched the “What African Women Want” Campaign. The campaign aligns with Aspiration six of Agenda 2063 which advocates for “An Africa, whose development is people driven, relying upon the potential of African people, especially its women and youth and caring for women. This calls for the empowerment of African women in all spheres, with equal social, political and economic rights.
“What African Women Want” campaign advocates for, among others;
- A conceptual shift from the practical to the strategic needs of women; a Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment and Women’s Rights framework.
- Ending child marriages, gender violence and harmful traditional practices.
- Eradicating preventable maternal mortality, HIV and AIDS and ensuring affordable, accessible, youth friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights Services.
- Ensuring women’s equal access to productive resources, including mining, land, credit and ICTs and training in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
- Guaranteeing equal pay for work of equal value; recognising and rewarding the unpaid work of women.
- Enhancing women’s effective participation in decision making in and through public and private institutions, the media and new media.
- Engaging men, boys and the youth in the struggle for gender equality.
- Building strong Gender Management Systems including Gender Responsive Budgeting at all levels.
Launched on International Women’s day 2022, whose theme was ‘Gender Equality today for a sustainable tomorrow’, and in push to make gender issues more visible, the campaign was launched to highlight key issues still faced by women in their pursuit of parity and equity. The campaign provides actionable recommendations to address the existing and emerging challenge. It also offers an opportunity for people across the continent and in the diaspora to engage and share, testimonials or best practices on what has worked and projects that that are advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. Such contributions can be shared as an article or video and all materials will be vetted to establish suitability for posting on AU platforms.
Although the continent still lags behind in realising the goals set in various continental legal frameworks including the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, through the African Union’s years of activism and legal reforms, many countries are seeing progress in terms of women’s rights and status in societies. And that in itself is what African Women Want!