On 8 March 2016, we commemorate International Women’s Day. The theme for this year - Step it up for Gender Equality − affords us the opportunity to highlight the importance of gender equality in all areas of human activity.
This includes not only gender equality in politics and decision-making, economic participation and or earning potential, but also equal enjoyment by both females and males of all ages of rights, socially valued goods, opportunities, resources and rewards such as access to basic social services, among which are education and health. Therefore, gender equality promotes the enjoyment of rights, opportunities and life chances for everyone regardless of whether they were born female or male.
Access to education by women, for example, enhances their full development potential which in return enables communities to benefit from their work, intelligence and know-how. In addition, communities also enjoy other benefits such as the financial rewards derived from the work of women’s participation in the development of their country. Achieving mandatory education for both sexes is still far from being realized
In the last 10 years countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have registered significant progress in gender equality. Women have become increasingly involved in the affairs of national and government institutions. In Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, for instance, 30% of the seats in Parliament are reserved for women. In Rwanda, representation by women has reached 50%, which is one of the highest ratios in the world.
In several countries, more and more women are taking charge of such important portfolios as finance, defense, foreign affairs, and home affairs. In Liberia, Dr Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected as the first female Head of State in 2005 in Africa. In 2011, she was one of three women to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
However, even in countries where we have seen some progress in gender equality, the gains made have not been sustainable and could be reversed at any time. This holds true whether it is politics, the economy, or the financing of gender-based social programmes. In the majority of cases, women are assigned inferior portfolios mainly in the social fields, denying them the opportunity to participate in the high level decision-making process. The Human Development Report for 2015 projects that at the present rate of progress; Africa will not reach true parity before 2045.
With regard to health, the World Health Assembly (WHA) of 2008 requested Member States to ensure that gender equality between the sexes is observed at all levels in all health services. This requires strong commitment on the part of governments.
For example, the current situation shows that female genital mutilation (FGM) and physical violence continue to be rampant in our region. FGM is still being practiced in 23 countries of our region.
Governments should therefore, move more quickly to enact laws to reduce, if not abolish, inequality based on gender. In the case of countries that have already enacted such laws, they should step up the enforcement of these laws.
As we celebrate this International Women’s Day, I call on all governments to intensify their efforts by taking concrete steps to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.
Indeed, it is paramount that communities, men and women make concerted effort along with governments to promote gender parity and reduce discrimination against women. The World Health Organization joins the efforts of Member States and development partners in supporting all initiatives aimed at equal enjoyment of rights, opportunities and life chances for both men and women throughout the life course.