At least half of Africa’s women, girls still live in bondage say experts

18 January 2009 in Africa, Equality, Human Rights

At least half of the women and girls in Africa are still living in some form of bondage despite the fact that the world marked the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights only about a month ago.

Experts on gender empowerment, poverty reduction and women rights advocacy said women and girls were not free to access and enjoy their basic rights in the homes, families, work places and in many places in the society, contrary to the universal declaration.

The declaration passed in 1948 recognises equality of rights for women and men as a basic principle.

The experts were speaking at a workshop on women empowerment held at the University of Dar es Salaam.

Aziza Abemba, the Executive Director of Women`s Self-Promotion/Women`s Learning Partnership in Zimbabwe together with Joseph Boomenyo, an expert from Tusaidie Watoto na Wanawake wa Africa (Tuwwa), said discriminatory laws and power relations that prevented women from leading and fulfilling their full potentials must be addressed.

“The implication is that more than half of our population is not maximised in addressing problems and challenges facing our (Africa) continent,“ said Abemba.

The workshop brought together 18 delegates from the Tanzania Commission For Human Rights and Governance, Tanzania Women’s Lawyers Association, Tanzania Women Teachers Association, Tanzania Women of Impact Foundation, Kiwota Women`s Health and Development Organisation, Centre for Widows and Children Assistance, Tanzania Media Women Association, Together for Peace and Development and Women Legal Aid Centre, among others.

It was aimed at building the capacity of local women and women`s organisations, with a view to helping them acquire skills and become resource persons in promoting women`s leadership, women?s rights, gender parity and equity.

Initiating practical strategies to stop gender based violence, violence against women and reducing poverty and unemployment among the disadvantaged women and communities living in rural and urban areas, was among the key objectives of the event.

The participants said they were prepared to implement what they learnt from the workshop to effect change of mindset and behaviour of people in their families, working places and communities.

They emphasised and urged women and girls to effect the change they see in others.

They emphasised on the need for decision-makers, religious leaders and other stakeholders to join hands and abolish, streamline and change discriminatory laws, policies and practices that were disadvantageous to other citizens.

“It is important for a young girl to be given freedom to choose own marriage partner without the interference of parents and family members.

Parents and family members should keep their hands off because true love should be based on choice and decision between partners (a man and a woman),“ she said.

“The truth is that most arranged marriages without the willingness and agreement of concerned partners are fuelling divorce, HIV/Aids pandemic leading to the suffering of innocent people, including children.

In order for one to make right choices, a girl needs to be at least 18 years old rather than below 16 years,? she said.

The implementation of this training of trainers` workshop was made possible through the support of Women`s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace (US).

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