Currently, women in Africa are experiencing unparalleled access to education, healthcare, and opportunities. Nevertheless, the ongoing disparity between them and their male counterparts highlights that gender equality remains an elusive aspiration. The facts are clear: one in three women still endure physical or sexual violence, and almost every woman spends twice as much time on unpaid household chores compared to men. Moreover, there isn’t a single country in Africa that offers women complete legal protection.
This reality stirs a mix of frustration and hope within me, recognizing both our progress and the considerable work that lies ahead.
Nearly thirty years ago, 189 global leaders left the Fourth World Conference on Women filled with renewed hope, committing their nations to the Beijing Platform for Action—a comprehensive plan aimed at eliminating gender inequality. Yet, as nations evaluate their progress today, none have fulfilled their pledges. According to the 2023 Africa Gender Index report from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank, we are merely halfway towards achieving gender equality. The journey ahead is long, and progress has been painfully sluggish.
The implications are immense. The inability to eradicate gender inequality comes with significant costs, including economic stagnation, weakened social structures, instability, and wasted human potential—all of which impede Africa’s advancement towards the Sustainable Development Goals. If urgent action is not taken, we risk a future characterized by rising inequality, injustice, and instability—a reality we cannot accept.
As we contemplate the promises made in Beijing, it is crucial for everyone to take responsibility and implement decisive political and financial actions to change our current trajectory. Our analysis identifies five vital areas where concentrated efforts over the next five years could pave the way for achieving gender equality by 2030.
First, while more women are entering the workforce, they still shoulder most of the caregiving duties, confront discrimination, and face damaging stereotypes. It is essential that governments and businesses dismantle the obstacles impeding women’s career growth. Experience has demonstrated that providing women with equal opportunities is not just a moral imperative but also a prudent strategy, potentially boosting the GDP of emerging markets and developing economies by an average of 23%.
Second, as digitalization continues to shape the future of work, many women are getting left behind. By 2023, only 32% of women in Africa had internet access. This gap leads to missed opportunities and results in losses amounting to millions of dollars for African economies annually. We must urgently ensure that digital services are accessible and promote digital literacy so that every woman can equally participate in the digital realm.
Third, despite a decrease in maternal mortality rates, healthcare access remains elusive for many women. Governments need to prioritize healthcare for all women, regardless of their location or financial status. Investing in women’s health not only saves lives but also makes economic sense, with every dollar spent generating $3 in economic growth.
Fourth, although women in Africa now have nearly equal access to primary, secondary, and tertiary education, this has not translated into equitable representation in leadership or economic influence. Women’s representation in African parliaments has increased by just one percentage point, from 25% in 2021 to 26% in 2024. Without women’s perspectives in leadership positions, we risk perpetuating the inequalities we seek to dismantle.
Finally, we must confront harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and legal barriers that restrict women’s access to resources and leadership roles. Addressing these deeply ingrained issues requires robust enforcement of laws and policies, as well as a societal transformation involving policymakers, corporate leaders, community elders, faith leaders, and every individual.
These issues are not new. While some may seem insurmountable, they are certainly not unbeatable. Africa has shown remarkable progress, from Tunisia’s rise in women graduates in science to Rwanda’s notable reduction in cervical cancer cases and Namibia’s gender-equal parliament. These success stories remind us that change is possible when we commit to effective strategies. In this context, data is vital for targeting and monitoring interventions based on reality rather than assumptions. However, when it comes to women and girls, the data we need is often insufficient, leaving many challenges unnoticed and unaddressed. Real progress demands that we improve our data capabilities to create a fuller understanding.
In an increasingly urgent world, gender equality often falls by the wayside. We can no longer afford to be complacent or continue with business as usual. If we maintain our current course, achieving gender equality may remain 300 years away. This situation is unacceptable.
We call on leaders from all sectors to recommit to the goals highlighted in Beijing and invest in meaningful change to address the pervasive gender inequality that persists. Only through these efforts can we turn equality from a distant vision into a reality within our lifetimes. I genuinely believe that this is achievable, but it necessitates collective action now.
