Families rely heavily on the women in their family to look after them and to provide them with the basic needs for their survival. People like Esther Nenadi Usman have been heavily involved in ensuring women are educated to the highest standards and that they become officially recognized with the same legal status as men. Doing so will enable households across the continent to have better nutrition, stronger food security, and higher quality healthcare.
Esther Nenadi Usman on the Reality of Women in Africa
It is undeniable to everybody in Africa that women make truly crucial investments in their family and contribute vitally to there community. Yet, in sub-saharan Africa, just 15% of the Land holders in the region are female. Furthermore, there are concerns about every element of their lives, from disease to illiteracy to sexual exploitation. Unfortunately, women also don’t seem to have been given a voice about this and this is what people like Esther Nenadi Usman want to address more than anything.
How to Address Women’s Empowerment in Africa
Numerous projects and initiatives have been started in Africa that showcase just how important the role of the woman is in reviving African economies. These projects also acknowledge that women can be excellent leaders. Various organizations and communities across the continents are now offering women leadership opportunities through coaching and participation in committees. They are also trained in literacy, business, market access, organizational mobilization, and more. More women entrepreneurs are giving platforms to become involved in the global community.
The aim is to put women at the forefront of Africa and keep them there. Doing so must also ensure they are able to participate in local businesses and increase their income. At the same time, it must be relevant to the current economic situation in their country. For instance, in countries like Nigeria, women should have heavily involvement in areas such as oil but also such as government and politics. In countries like Chad, women should be strongly involved in farming and agricultural enterprises. Nigeria in particular is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa and it’s even aims to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world within the next few years. It is impossible for a country to achieve this unless it ensures its women have an equal status.
It is a known fact that one of the key issues in Africa that has stopped women from becoming empowered is education. In many cases, young women are taken out of school in order to provide and care for their families and this leaves them at a disproportionate disadvantage in terms of being able to better themselves and contribute to their communities in the financial way while also becoming truly independent. Another key area of concern is health care, with many women finding it almost impossible to obtain health care in particular with regards to the reproductive and sexual health. Addressing those two issues is vital, therefore.