Empowering Women, Empowering Economies: Progress and Gaps in Africa

Strategic Insights -

As the world marks International Women's Day on March 8, 2015, the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group highlights the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in driving socio-economic development across the continent. The theme "Empowering Women - Empowering Economies: Make it Happen!" emphasizes the vital role women play as agents of development, and the need to address gaps that hinder making gender equality a reality. The Bank will launch the first Africa Gender Equality Index 2015, which highlights gender disparities in 52 out of 54 countries on the continent. This milestone event sets the stage for the Bank to assess its contribution to women across different sectors of development, with a firm belief that ignoring women is ignoring humanity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group marks International Women's Day with the theme "Empowering Women - Empowering Economies: Make it Happen!" to emphasize the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in driving socio-economic development across Africa.
  • The Bank will launch the first Africa Gender Equality Index 2015, which highlights gender disparities in 52 out of 54 countries on the continent, to assess its contribution to women across different sectors of development.
  • The Bank has invested in life-changing projects that have improved standards of women and girls on the continent, including sanitation, conflict management, water access, infrastructure, and food security.
  • The Bank recognizes the critical role women play as agents of development and believes that ignoring women is ignoring humanity.
  • The theme calls for change and celebrates acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities in Africa.
  • The Bank will evaluate gaps that still remain in making gender equality a reality, emphasizing the need to address disparities and promote equal opportunities for women.

Statistics:

  • 52 out of 54 countries on the continent will be profiled in the Africa Gender Equality Index 2015 to highlight gender disparities.
  • The Bank has invested in projects that have improved standards of women and girls across various sectors, including sanitation, conflict management, water access, infrastructure, and food security.
  • The Bank recognizes that women are half of Africa's population and believes that ignoring them is ignoring humanity.

Sources:

  • African Development Bank (AfDB) Group (2015, March 8). International Women's Day: African Development Bank Marks International Women's Day. (Date: 08/03/2015, Location: Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire)