Archive for category: Gender Equality

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Education for Marginalized Girls in Afghanistan

Marginalized Girls in AfghanistanEducation for marginalized girls in Afghanistan is an opportunity that is often missed out on due to the government’s discouragement of women’s participation in public life. Particularly in rural communities, as women experience fear over who will marry them if they are not living up to the ideals of a woman, the pressure to conform to the traditional expectations of being a woman in society is held in high regard. A consequence of this is that marginalized girls in Afghanistan are more likely to drop out of school or never attend in the first place. 

The Mission To Improve Education 

In 2012, the U.K. government established a commitment to improving young girls’ lives around the world through education. These projects are funded by U.K. Aid and reach out to the most marginalized communities across the globe, including rural communities in Afghanistan. 

One of these projects, set to finish in September of 2023, is called Steps Towards Girls’ Education Success (STAGES). Across 16 provinces in Afghanistan, in 1078 communities, the STAGES project has supported 24,830 marginalized girls as U.K. Aid aimed to improve education for marginalized girls in Afghanistan through community-based classes. 

The Success of STAGES

The project has succeeded so far in establishing 1,411 community-based classes in Afghanistan. To improve the quality of education as a whole and ensure that girls continue their education, U.K. Aid has implemented several elements to the project. One significant element of this is mentorship. The program has built an environment where confident, more assertive students take part in activities while supporting more timid, weaker students. This mentorship is encouraged during extra-curricular activities such as creative writing and debating. 

A 2017 report on the success of STAGES in its first five years found that while this helped improve the self-esteem and attendance of the weaker students, the program also developed valuable leadership skills in the mentors. 

In extension to this, the STAGES project has given out grants to young girls from marginalized communities to have the opportunity to train to be a teacher by attending Teacher Training Colleges. So far, this has helped 1,995 young women enter teacher apprenticeship programs.

To continue education of high quality, the project ensures teachers are well trained and have implemented regular in-school teacher training lessons. The teaching practices promoted in these training sessions focus on how education must be accessible and inclusive to everyone, despite gender or disability. 

In addition to community-based classes, the STAGES project has supported 587 government schools in terms of improving academic facilities and school infrastructure.

So far, STAGES has seen great success in improving and sustaining education for marginalized girls in Afghanistan. STAGES will continue to fight for better education until September 2023 with these three goals in mind: 

  1. Support 5145 more students to complete their lower primary education (up to grade 6). 
  2. Continue the maintenance of 235 educational facilities. This will be carried out through monitoring in classes and establishing school management councils. 
  3. Undertake professional development for 358 teachers. 

Looking Ahead

The denial of women’s access to education in Afghanistan is still prevalent in many communities, but projects such as STAGES make the fight a little less daunting for young women who want to go to school. Projects like this are a key component to the improvement of education for marginalized girls in Afghanistan and thus, the improvement of the prospects of Afghanistan. 

– Poppy Harris 
Photo: Flickr

The Progress of Women’s Rights in Namibia

Women’s Rights in NamibiaThe Southern African country of Namibia is taking significant steps to ensure gender equality. The Namibian constitution has focused heavily on reparations for women’s rights, specifically recognizing the discrimination females have faced. Namibia currently has in place more than 90% of the legal framework to promote gender equality. These efforts at advancing women’s rights in Namibia have paid off: Namibia ranked eighth out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2022 in terms of gender equality, with a score of 80.7, standing as one of just two African countries placing in the top 10.

A Closer Look at the Global Gender Gap Report 2022

Though Namibia’s 2022 ranking is noteworthy, the country has actually dropped rankings, moving from sixth place in 2021 to eighth place in 2022. In the area of Economic Participation and Opportunity, Namibia has slightly regressed, moving from 19th place to 20th place. In Education Attainment, Namibia has notably progressed from 34th place to 30th. The country ranks the same as last year in terms of Political Empowerment (19th) but excels in Health and Survival, ranking first in both 2021 and 2022.

The World Bank’s Women, Business and Law index, which measures how laws impact female economic participation and progress, has scored Namibia a high 86.3 out of 100 in 2021, which is higher than the average score in sub-Saharan Africa.

The above report says, “When it comes to laws affecting women’s decisions to work, laws affecting women’s pay, constraints related to marriage, gender differences in property and inheritance and laws affecting the size of a woman’s pension, Namibia gets a perfect score.”

In terms of improvements, the report says, “When it comes to constraints on freedom of movement, laws affecting women’s work after having children and constraints on women’s starting and running a business, Namibia could consider reforms to improve legal equality for women.”

Education and Other Indicators

According to the Global Gender Gap Report, in terms of educational attainment, Namibia ranks first in terms of enrollment in primary education and tertiary education, but there are no gender parity outcomes listed for secondary education. However, data from the World Bank indicates that the gross secondary school enrollment rate for girls in Namibia improved since 1990 and stood at 70% in 2007. For males, this rate was lower, standing at 61% in 2007.

The report also notes that Namibia has never had a female head of state and females hold just 14% of seats in the upper house of parliament.

According to data from U.N. Women, the number of employed women in Namibia living under the international poverty line exceeds that of men (10.7% versus 7.7%). Additionally, in the adult population, females account for more than 70% of those experiencing severe food insecurity.

Sister Namibia

Sister Namibia is a local organization working toward upholding women’s rights and empowering females in Namibia by “amplifying women’s voices.” The organization was founded in 1989 in Windhoek, Namibia, and has raised awareness on matters impacting women and other marginalized groups through its publications.

Sister Namibia’s focal areas are law and justice, gender-based violence and harassment, health and wellness, education and employment, among others. Sister Nambia also involves itself in and publicizes key events aimed at upholding human rights. Through its work, Sister Namibia hopes to spur change.

The organization’s publications provide pertinent information about the updates of women while building a community for women to share their stories and art. Sister Namibia has supported women’s rights in Namibia for more than 30 years and provides important resources and services Namibian women can utilize for assistance in several areas, such as mental health.

Looking Ahead

Namibia’s implementation of its first national action plan on women, peace and security, which is to run from 2019 to 2024, stands as one of the frameworks ensuring advancements in women’s rights. Doreen Sioka, Nambia’s minister of gender equality, says Namibia aims to reach gender parity in the country’s 2024 elections.

Namibia has seen much progress in the area of women’s rights. And with continued efforts and commitments, women’s rights in the country can strengthen even further.

– Kathryn Kendrick
Photo: Flickr

The Organization Empowering Girls in Ethiopia

Empowering Girls in EthiopiaParticipating in sports has long been seen as a way to increase self-confidence and resilience in aspects of life that go well beyond physical exercise. This belief is evident at Girls Gotta Run, a women-led organization, working to empower girls in Ethiopia through running.

Running Culture

In Ethiopia, long-distance running has been a part of the culture for more than six decades. Since Abebe Bekila won Africa’s first Olympic gold medal in the running marathon at the 1960 Olympics Games in Rome, East Africans have dominated the international distance running scene. The top five finishers in the 2023 London Marathon in both male and female categories were from Kenya or Ethiopia.

Just as many in the U.K. aspire to become soccer stars, children in Ethiopia dream of making it to the Olympics, following in the footsteps of athletes like Tirunesh Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele, who are considered idols and have won 10 Olympic medals combined.

For many, running offers a potential escape from poverty. This is because of the value of winning medals and the financial rewards that come from securing a contract with a major sports brand like Adidas or Nike. Such opportunities enable athletes to support their extended families and enjoy better living conditions or lifestyles in the city.

The Challenging Path to Sporting Success

While there might be fairy tale endings for the very few who succeed at the highest level of the sport, the path to Olympic glory is far from certain and often fraught with difficulties for many others. A documentary titled Town of Runners released in 2012 and filmed over the previous four years shed light on these very difficulties, focusing particularly on the challenging circumstances that ambitious young female athletes from a rural town in the Arsi Highlands had to endure in their bid to become successful athletes. These young women had both the belief and determination to succeed, but lacked equipment or facilities and encountered opposition from the biased traditional beliefs around womanhood.

Gender Inequality in Ethiopia

As of February 2021, women occupied about two out of five seats in the Ethiopian parliament, highlighting Ethiopia’s progress on the road toward gender equality. Nonetheless, there appears to be room for more progress, as there is a need to change harmful long-held beliefs and traditions about the role of women.

Girls Gotta Run strives to reduce the school dropout rate and empower girls in Ethiopia. If girls are able to finish their education, they are less likely to be forced into early marriage and early pregnancy. The World Bank revealed that universal secondary education for girls could virtually eliminate child marriage.

A few reasons why girls drop out of school as they enter adolescence include:

  • early marriage and/or pregnancy
  • increased responsibilities at home
  • increased costs of schooling
  • food insecurity
  • limited access to hygiene facilities
  • sexual harassment and assault
  • gender bias

The mission of organizations like Girls Gotta Run is to highlight and work to break down these barriers to becoming a successful athlete and in doing so, provide girls and young women with the life skills that will help them find their way in life beyond the world of running. Even those who never make it to the realms of success as professional athletes will have still gained skills that empower them to thrive as adults.

How Girls Gotta Run is Empowering Girls in Ethiopia Through Running

The organization’s work takes place in the local community, with girls taking part in four distinct programs that focus on education, running, life skills and savings and entrepreneurship. Currently, this work happens in two localities: one in Soddo, a city in south-central Ethiopia, and another in the small town of Bekoji in the Arsi region. The Arsi region is famous for its runners who over the past 30 years, have won more than 16 Olympic middle-distance and long-distance titles. So far, Girls Gotta Run has served over 275 women and girls, while also impacting at least 1,100 people through both the Soddo and Bekoji programs.

Girls who attend these projects train together three times a week. They also receive sports kits, as well as healthy snacks to help with their training. However, running activities serve more as a tool for empowering Ethiopian girls in a way that helps them think about what they might achieve beyond running.

Looking Ahead

Girls Gotta Run is empowering girls through running, providing them with education, life skills and entrepreneurship training. The organization’s work goes beyond athletics, equipping young women with the tools to thrive in life beyond the running track. By addressing barriers such as gender inequality and the risk of early marriage, Girls Gotta Run is helping girls in Ethiopia build self-confidence, resilience and brighter futures.

– Almaz Nerurkar
Photo: Flickr

Confronting Period Poverty in Morocco

Period Poverty in MoroccoFrom adolescence to middle age, women around the world are on their period for a quarter of every month. Cumulatively, that means a woman will spend 10 years of her life actively menstruating. A woman’s ability to persist in normal activities during this decade holds serious implications for her emotional, intellectual and economic well-being.

The Ripple Effect of Period Poverty in Morocco

In Morocco, more than 6 million people do not have access to basic goods making it exceedingly difficult for young women from low-income families to afford menstrual supplies. This lack of access to pads, coupled with deeply-rooted social stigmas and a general lack of puberty education, causes girls to miss several days of school every month.

Gaps in school attendance cause girls to fall behind, experience a lack of intellectual confidence and sometimes even drop out. The ripple effects of an incomplete education are vast, including vulnerability to child marriage and child labor and reduced chances of future social mobility.

Cultural Stigma Perpetuates Period Poverty

Many communities, including Morocco, suffer intense cultural stigmas surrounding menstruation. A pervasive misconception is that women should not bathe while they menstruate, which not only can cause health issues but can exacerbate shame —dissuading girls from going out in public while on their periods.

A lack of transparent education regarding menstruation allows for these fallacies to survive from generation to generation. As of 2021, Morocco had a population of about 3 million adolescents and young girls and “half of them were shocked to get their first period,” according to Morocco World News.

A Moroccan woman shared her experience about her first period with UNFPA, stating, “I told my mother. She gave me an old piece of cloth and refused to buy me sanitary napkins and forbade me from eating dinner that night.” The woman continued to reflect on menstruating under the pressures of social stigmas, admitting, “I felt I was an outcast. My period every month became an unbearable hell.”

New Era Epitomizes Civil Efforts to Fight Period Poverty

New Era, a Moroccan social movement, is confronting rural period poverty head-on by distributing menstrual underwear and pain medication to women in Casablanca’s Sidi Moumen community. In partnership with the Oum Kaltoum Foundation, the organization provides supplies to women who cannot afford or do not have access to hygiene products. As of November 2021, New Era had distributed over 300 pairs of menstrual underwear to women in Ouinskra, a village located 50 miles outside of Marrakesh.

New Era not only disseminates period supplies but runs community discussions to help quell misconceptions and stigmas that amplify the harm of period poverty in Morocco. “At first, women were intimidated, but within minutes, people became more animated, raising multiple questions, which really helped us in the process of raising awareness,” New Era co-founder Nada Chaddadi told Morocco World News.

Period Poverty Reduction Through Project Soar

Maryam Montague first founded Project Soar in 2013, another campaign fighting period poverty in Morocco. Similar to New Era, the organization has a goal to distribute feminine hygiene products and hold workshops to deconstruct social stigmas. The organization has 28 operating chapters across the country.

Project Soar provides young Moroccan women with reusable menstrual kits that last three years with the hopes that school-aged girls will feel confident and comfortable attending class while menstruating. It has also collaborated with Morocco’s Human Rights Council (CNDH) and UNFPA to run menstrual education workshops throughout Morocco, according to Morroco World News. Project Soar’s empowerment workshops have reached 3,543 teen girls throughout Morrocco.

A young woman who participated in the Project Soar education initiative explained she had trouble playing sports since she did not know if she would have leaks when doing certain moves. “However, now I can say that the Be Girl period kit that Project Soar provided me in Module 3: Body helped me to somehow face this fear and live a normal life,” she concludes.

 Looking Forward

As organizations like New Era and Project Soar launch campaigns confronting period poverty in Morocco, the nation’s mentality surrounding menstruation is rapidly shifting. On May 28, 2021, Morocco celebrated its first-ever World Menstrual Hygiene Day, supporting the international tagline, “Build a world where no one is held back because they menstruate.”

Period poverty in Morocco has been increasingly receiving recognition and treatment as a source of social struggle and gender disparity that deserves earnest attention.

– Elena Unger
Photo: Flickr

NGOs in El Salvador Helping Women

NGOs in El Salvador Helping WomenWomen in El Salvador face a myriad of challenges, including gender-based violence, poor living standards and unequal treatment in education. Underscoring the severity of the situation, in 2021, El Salvador had one of the highest rates of femicide in Latin America and the world, with a reported 2.4 cases of femicide per 100,000 women. According to the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), women and girls between the ages of 15 and 29 years face the greatest threat of femicide. In response to the issue, a number of NGOs in El Salvador are helping women to avoid violence and discrimination.

NGOs in El Salvador Helping Women

  • Women of Hope: In 2021, the nonprofit organization Salvador’s HOPE launched a project called Women of Hope. This initiative tackles increasing rates of sexual and domestic violence, kidnappings and disappearances among El Salvador’s women and girls by providing counseling, resources and abuse and safety training. Working in collaboration with local churches and NGOs, Women of Hope aims to promote “Worth, Value and Dignity” among vulnerable women.
  • The Girls’ Education Accelerator (GEA): The GEA is a Global Partnership for Education (GPE) project that supports girls and young women in a number of partner countries. The first of these to access the GEA and its funding was El Salvador in June 2022. The country received a $15 million grant to advance gender equality in education from early childhood to adolescence and strengthen the girls’ education focus of the government’s “Crecer Juntos” (Growing Together) policy for early education. For instance, a GEA research project found that 70% of test booklets across four key subjects promoted domestic and familial roles for girls while overlooking women in professional careers. Hence, the GEA is serving as an initiative that focuses on developing gender-sensitive learning materials and reform assessments so that teachers can more accurately assess the gender disparities in their classes’ results. The World Bank’s “Growing Up and Learning Together: Comprehensive Early Childhood Development” program and the “Nacer, Crecer, Aprender” (Be Born, Grow Up and Learn) program of the Inter-American Development Bank are lending further support to the initiative.
  • LibrES: For an El Salvador without Gender-Based Violence: Arizona State University has launched a five-year project, “LibrES: For an El Salvador without Gender-Based Violence,” in an effort to reduce rates of gender-based violence in El Salvador. With $35 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), LibrES works in San Salvador, San Miguel and Santa Ana. These cities have the most recorded cases of gender-based violence in the country. LibrES collaborates with local organizations and plans to serve 3,000 Salvadorans, train 1,000 people to promote gender equality and female empowerment and facilitate more than 100,000 interactions through its public campaigns by the time of its conclusion in December 2027. Furthermore, many of ASU’s schools are collaborating to support women in El Salvador. The Thunderbird School of Global Management, for one, is training staff to introduce its DreamBuilder curriculum, which helps women worldwide launch or refine their own businesses. The university’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law is also working with Salvadoran prosecutors to make the country’s legal system a safer place for survivors of gender-based violence.

Looking Ahead

Despite the injustices that they face, the almost 3.5 million women living in El Salvador today are gaining growing support in the fight against violence and educational inequities. Local, national and international organizations are working to raise awareness regarding issues that affect women, These organizations also work to provide protection and opportunities for the many women who are victims of gender-based violence.

– Martha Probert

Narrowing the Gender Wage Gap in Saudi Arabia

Gender Wage Gap in Saudi ArabiaThe gender wage gap in Saudi Arabia is an issue that forms part of the country’s gender inequality battles. Despite holding prominent positions in the workforce and making valuable contributions to the country’s economic growth, women continue to receive significantly less pay than their male counterparts. However, progress has been slow and women are still fighting for recognition and regard for their rights in the workforce. The issue of gender inequality in Saudi Arabia has been a long-standing problem with women facing numerous obstacles when it comes to achieving financial equality and more.

The Gender Pay Disparity in Saudi Arabia

In 2019, the Saudi Arabian Human Rights Commission (HRC) published a report revealing a significant wage gap between men and women in the country. The report indicates that women in Saudi Arabia earn only 56% of what men earn, with every one Saudi riyal earned by a man equating to a mere 0.56 riyals for women. The report’s findings prompted calls for change from human rights organizations and advocacy groups. However, despite the widespread attention to this issue, progress toward closing the gender wage gap in Saudi Arabia has been slow.

Apart from the gender wage gap issue, women often face exclusion from higher-paying jobs in sectors such as engineering, finance and technology. Furthermore, women are less likely to receive promotions to leadership positions, which are typically associated with higher salaries.

A study conducted by the King Khalid Foundation in 2020 found that women in Saudi Arabia face underrepresentation in the labor force. The study found that only 22% of working-age women in the country are employed compared to 76% of working-age men. The low participation rate of women in the workforce is partly due to cultural and social barriers that discourage women from pursuing careers outside of the home.

Progress for Women

Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia has noted some progress in recent years in regard to the gender wage gap in Saudi Arabia. According to a report by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the gender pay gap in Saudi Arabia decreased by 7% between 2019 and 2021. Furthermore, in 2021, Saudi Arabia climbed 10 ranks in the global ranking of the gender pay gap by the World Economic Forum and advanced 12 ranks in terms of female participation in the workforce.

However, Saudi Arabia still has a long way to go in terms of achieving gender parity in the workplace. In the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022, Saudi Arabia ranked 127th out of 153 countries. The report highlighted several areas in which Saudi Arabia could improve, including promoting gender equality in the workplace and increasing the participation of women in the labor force.

To address the gender wage gap in Saudi Arabia, a cultural shift that promotes gender equality in the workplace is necessary. Employers need to ensure that women have equal access to career development opportunities and are promoted based on merit rather than gender. Furthermore, the government needs to take steps to encourage more women to enter the workforce, such as providing incentives to companies that employ women and investing in programs that provide training and support to women in the labor force.

The gender wage gap in Saudi Arabia remains a significant issue that requires urgent attention. Women in the country have a right to equal pay for equal work and the country as a whole will benefit from a more diverse and inclusive workforce. By promoting gender equality in the workplace and encouraging more women to enter the labor force, Saudi Arabia can take a significant step toward achieving true gender parity.

– Noura Matalqa
Photo: Flickr

Advancing Women’s Rights in Spain

Women’s Rights in SpainTo advance women’s rights in Spain, the Spanish parliament is implementing and strengthening legislation to give women more resources, freedom of choice, equal opportunities and greater protection. Hundreds of women gathered in the streets of the country to celebrate the recent passing of the new laws that uphold women’s rights in Spain.

Gender Equality in Spain

The roots of the country’s gender inequality derive from the Franco era of National Catholicism. During this era (1939-1975), the regime significantly restricted women’s rights and gave strict regulations for women to follow. For example, without her husband’s consent, a married woman could not engage in most economic activities, such as participating in the labor force, owning land/property or traveling.

However, Spain’s transition to a democracy spurred a feminist movement with women throughout the country demanding equal rights, leading to milestone changes for women’s rights in Spain.

In the present day, Spain stands strong as one of the top 20 most gender-equal countries in the world. In the Global Gender Gap Report of 2022 by the World Economic Forum, Spain ranked 17th out of 146 countries. Despite Spain’s gender equality rate standing at about 78%, progress is still necessary to achieve gender parity.

Violence Against Women in Spain

Spain has struggled with gender inequality and gender-based violence due to the “machismo” culture prevalent across the nation. The machismo culture contributes to male aggression and violence against women. In 2022, Spain implemented a new system to officially count the number of femicides in the country, making it the first nation in Europe to do so. This system aims to prevent gender-based violence in Spain and address the roots of the problem. According to government statistics, since 2003, at least 1,125 women in Spain have been killed by their husbands or former partners. In 2021, this number equated to 43.

The executive summary of the 2019 Macro-Survey on Violence Against Women by the Ministry of Equality shows that more than 50% of women aged 16 and older in Spain have experienced violence due to their gender at least once, equalling about 11.6 million women.

The 2019 summary further states that 13.7% of women aged 16 and older in Spain have experienced sexual violence at least once in their lifetime.

The Third Strategic Plan

These staggering statistics explain why the Spanish parliament is focusing its attention on women’s rights in Spain. Lawmakers created a strategy called the Third Strategic Plan for the Effective Equality of Women and Men (PEIEMH) 2022-2025.

This plan is a €21.319 billion investment with four main goals:

  • Create a more inclusive government showcasing democracy.
  • Further the economy through unbiased issuance of wealth and closing the gender wage gap.
  • Eliminate gender violence.
  • Secure women’s rights in Spain in every aspect of their daily lives.

Furthering Women’s Rights

The Third Strategic Plan is cohesive with the new laws the Spanish parliament has passed. One of these pieces of legislation introduces menstrual leave for women, making Spain the first European nation to offer paid menstrual leave for those who endure excruciating menstrual pain that interferes with daily life.

Considering that at least two in 10 women in Spain live in poverty, this means at least 20% of women in Spain endure menstrual poverty as well. Period products, such as pads and tampons, will now be accessible without cost in schools and prisons in response to the rise of menstrual poverty among women.

In August 2022, lawmakers strengthened the “Only Yes Means Yes” legislation to better protect the rights of victims of rape. The law states that any nonconsensual sexual activity is rape and express consent will be key in sexual assault cases. Prior, in order to obtain a conviction, these cases needed evidence proving that a perpetrator used violence or intimidation.

“The new law removes the distinction between sexual abuse and sexual aggression (rape) by making explicit that consent is the deciding factor. Passivity and silence can no longer be interpreted as consent,” noted The Guardian.

Spain is also looking to introduce a law requiring companies and the Cabinet to have at least 40% of their boards made up of women. This law will give more women in Spain the opportunity to be represented in political positions and in the workforce.

Spain continues to strive toward advancing women’s rights and protecting the country’s women. Incorporating new laws will provide a brighter future for the country and its people, especially women.

– Zyairah White
Photo: Pixabay

Women’s Rights in the Bahamas

Women’s Rights in the BahamasFrom women’s suffrage efforts claiming the right to vote in 1961 to gaining independence in 1973, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has a rich history of fighting for equality. However, despite the current progress, there are persistent political and legal barriers that currently threaten women’s rights in the Bahamas.

Disjoint in the Legal Framework Surrounding Sexual Offences

Sexual violence is endemic within the nation and necessitates legal redress. According to the Royal Bahamas Police, reporting of sexual offenses rose by 14% in 2022 with 204 cases. According to the report, 39% of the victims knew the perpetrator and all the suspects were men. With the understanding that there is a trend of gross underreporting when it comes to sexual offenses, this number could be much higher.

Sexual harassment laws pertain only to the workplace, with the language “solicits sexual favors” employed to encapsulate the meaning of sexual harassment. This means that inappropriate behavior such as sexually charged and/or obscene comments, continuous staring and unwanted physical contact in both the workplace and public spaces are not legally recognized explicitly as sexual harassment.

Additionally, although the intent of criminalizing sexual harassment in the workplace is to deter potential perpetrators, U.N. Women recommends making it a matter of civil law. The reasoning for this recommendation is that the victim has more say in the direction of the case for a civil claim.

For instance, a claimant does not have to provide a “clear and convincing burden of proof” like in a criminal court and instead only has to prove a preponderance of the evidence. The claimant does not have to be subjected to an evaluation of their sexual history (aside from the accused) like in a criminal trial. Such conditions would hopefully encourage more women to come forward and stand up to the violations of their rights.

Marital Rape

The law fails to recognize marital rape as a criminal offense unless the couple is in the process of separation/divorce. Most recently in 2022, there was an initiative to remove the phrase “who is not his spouse” from the definition of rape. However, there was constant pushback from opposing politicians and the powerful influence of the Christian Council.

Unfortunately, so long as this phrase remains in legislation, there could be thousands of Bahamian women who do not have the law protection if their husband rapes them and the damaging rhetoric that consent does not matter throughout marriage could endure.

Lack of Political Representation

A significant step toward advancing women’s rights in the Bahamas is addressing the lack of women in politics and highlighting the need for gender-sensitive policymaking. Whilst the country made history in 2021 with the election of seven women in the Progressive Liberal Party, accounting for 17% of seats in parliament, it is yet to meet the U.N.’s minimum standard of 30%.

One solution that Allicia Rolle, a gender specialist in the Department of Gender and Family Affairs proposed is the implementation of quotas as a temporary measure to promote gender mainstreaming in politics. This is to ensure that there are as many women as men in positions of power.

A Commitment to Action

In February 2022, Prime Minister Davis publicly acknowledged that the country needs to bring many of the domestic laws regarding gender equality “up to date” and that the Attorney General would be looking into “domestic legislation” to meet the need to address the prevalence of gender-based violence in the country. Additionally, the government’s effort involved considering long-term strategies including promoting civic engagement and education surrounding the topic. And while there has not been any concrete update on the implementation of such legislation or programs, this acknowledgment of responsibility toward promoting the advancement of women’s rights in the Bahamas offers signs of hope for change in the future.

– Lucy Gebbie
Photo: Flickr

Understanding and Addressing the Gender Wage Gap in Egypt 

Gender Wage Gap in EgyptEgypt is a country with a rich history and diverse culture. Unfortunately, it holds the title of having the highest gender wage gap. The Global Gender Gap Report 2022, issued by the World Economic Forum, positions Egypt at 129th among the 149 countries evaluated in the 2022 index. Egypt’s wage disparity is the highest with a 3.84 ratio, implying that men earn four times more than women in relation to GDP per capita. The World Bank further highlights gender inequality in the labor market, with women representing only 18% of the total workforce in Egypt in 2022.

Consequences and Economic Impact on the Egyptian Economy

Social context influences labor market competition. In Egypt, women’s limited mobility, childcare responsibilities and masculine work environments hinder their job prospects and contribute to lower pay. The gender wage gap in Egypt has significant consequences on society and the economy. The wage gap exposes discriminatory practices in employment and wages, where women face disadvantages compared to men in earning income.

Furthermore, the World Bank (2021) reported that if female participation in the workforce increased, Egypt’s GDP could potentially grow by 34%. This demonstrates the untapped potential of women’s economic contributions. Women’s active involvement in the financial sector, particularly in executive and board positions, enhances the resilience and stability of the country. According to the World Bank, achieving Egypt’s Vision 2030 requires addressing the underrepresentation of women, especially at senior leadership levels.

Possible Solutions from a Governmental Aspect

The Egyptian National Council for Women (NCW) operates as an independent women’s machinery. The President of the Republic of Egypt affiliates the council, which ensures equal treatment of Egyptian women in political, economic, social and cultural aspects. Additionally, the NCW actively plans for women’s advancement. The NCW actively addresses the gender wage gap and promotes gender equality in the labor market. Furthermore, the NCW introduces Egypt’s Vision 2030, aligning it with the Sustainable Development Strategy to construct a fair and equal society.

In its report to the United Nations, the NCW outlined several measures, including the establishment of a gender-sensitive budgeting system and the development of an action plan to increase women’s representation in decision-making positions. Through entrepreneurship programs, the NCW economically empowered Egyptian women. In April 2022, the Shakia Governate program trained 136,000 women in project management, planning, marketing and entrepreneurship concepts, thereby facilitating networking and providing access to valuable services.

The NCW’s efforts to promote women’s empowerment in Egypt yielded visible progress. From 2015 to 2019, the unemployment rate for females decreased from 12.8% to 7.9%. Additionally, Egypt joined the Equal Pay International Coalition (EPIC) in 2018, committing to take action to close the gender pay gap by implementing policies, sharing knowledge and mobilizing resources.

Efforts from NGOs and International Organizations

Several international and non-governmental organizations have partnered with Egypt to address the gender wage gap and promote women’s economic empowerment. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been working with the Egyptian government to strengthen women’s participation in the economy by supporting policies and programs that promote gender equality, such as microfinance initiatives and vocational training for women.

USAID empowers women to close the gender wage gap in Egypt by supporting their entrepreneurial ventures. Through initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurs Network and Tiye Angels, 600 successful women-led businesses have emerged since 2017. Additionally, USAID’s Business Development Service Centers have strengthened 650 women-owned micro-enterprises. The Association for Women’s Total Advancement and Development (ATWAD) is another organization working to empower Egyptian women economically. ATWAD provides training, advocacy and capacity building for women to improve their access to resources and opportunities.

Lastly, ABAAD, a regional NGO, aims to achieve gender equality in the Middle East and North Africa region. ABAAD works in Egypt to promote equal opportunities for women in the labor market and to eliminate gender-based violence, which is a significant barrier to women’s economic participation.

Looking Ahead

Efforts to address the gender wage gap and promote women’s economic empowerment in Egypt are gaining momentum. Initiatives led by the Egyptian National Council for Women, along with collaborations with international organizations like USAID and ABAAD, are making a difference. Progress has been seen in reducing female unemployment rates and increasing women’s representation in decision-making positions. With continued commitment and support, Egypt is on the path towards achieving greater gender equality, unlocking the untapped potential of women and fostering a fair and inclusive society.

– Tanya Hamad
Photo: Flickr

Gender Inequality in Madagascar

Gender Inequality in MadagascarGender inequality in Madagascar remains a key issue for women. The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) defines gender equality as the equal opportunities, conditions, treatment and acceptance of human rights and dignity for all individuals, including men, women and children. It entails ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to contribute to and benefit from economic, social, cultural and political development, irrespective of their gender. Unfortunately, this is yet to be the reality in Madagascar, as women in the country still experience gender-based bias and exclusion.

A Cultural Problem

Madagascan cultural traditions and societal norms going back centuries, have forced Malagasy women into a secondary position within the public sphere. Typically, this includes the widespread belief that men should dominate leadership roles and speak out more in public. For example, in the realm of Madagascan politics, only 4% are women, leaving them underrepresented and excluded from social, political and economic circles.

Reports link common practices such as child marriage to restricted education and increased poverty. Around two-thirds of girls from poorer Madagascan regions go into marriage before the age of 18. In contrast, girls with access to secondary-level education in the country are less likely to marry earlier in life. Despite these circumstances making it hard for Malagasy women to achieve equality, the pursuance of livelihood activities from the mangrove forest has enabled those who are uneducated to improve their economic status. But this practice remains highly damaging to the environment and therefore does not present a long-term solution to the effects of gender inequality in Madagascar. Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 in pursuance of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls requires the country to close existing gender gaps.

Some Facts of Gender Inequality in Madagascar

The statistics on gender inequality in Madagascar demonstrate significant economic differences between men and women. Some of the facts are as follows:

  • Men in Madagascar earn, on average, 37% more than women, and this is mostly a result of a lack of wage transparency.
  • Women are 20% more likely to experience unemployment than men.
  • Women and girls, 5 years and older in Madagascar, spend 14.6% of their lives working in the unpaid care sector or on domestic work. In comparison, only 2.8% is the number for men.
  • Women working in the export processing zones of the textile and garment sector are especially vulnerable to workplace inequalities.

Reducing Gender Inequality in Madagascar

Although the statistics paint a bleak picture, there are organizations going to great lengths to alleviate the consequences of gender inequality in Madagascar. These organizations aim to enable women to know their rights and seek representation in unions. This is particularly essential as discriminatory stereotypes still exist within the Madagascan union movement.

Representatives from IndustriALL’s Malagasy affiliates; SEKRIMA, FISEMA, USAM and SVS, have noted the importance of providing mentoring and training to women, so they build confidence and feel able to participate in unions. In 2018, USAM introduced a national quota of 40% for women’s representation. As of 2022, The World Bank announced that 48% of its workforce in Madagascar was female, with representation at all levels. This suggests that since USAM’s introduction of a national quota, women’s representation in Madagascar has improved in some areas.

Another important initiative in Madagascar, Feed the Minds, has worked alongside the local organization, Tanjona Association, to improve the livelihoods of Malagasy women through sustainable silk production. The initiative aims to empower 90 members of a women’s association group in Mandrosoa by training them to make silk using environmentally friendly methods. This will give participants the opportunity to acquire functional literacy and numeracy skills, as well as financial concepts, required to form micro-businesses. According to estimates, [in addition to participants], “490 individuals will indirectly benefit from the project”, demonstrating the importance of implementing these kinds of programs. Feed the Minds and other organizations provide new opportunities that not only benefit present-day Malagasy women but also have the potential to empower future generations of girls and women who may not have been aware of their potential.

The Future for Women in Madagascar

In a 2020 report on her trip to Madagascar, Diarietou Gaye, World Bank Group Vice President and Corporate Secretary, argued that Madagascar must create a middle class to promote economic and political stability, which can then lead to job creation. for youths in Madagascar. This, she says, would require women to gain more responsibility and provide an opportunity for them to exercise their abilities in the same way as their male counterparts. Gaye concluded that if men and women in Madagascar had the same opportunities, with equal empowerment efforts for all, then there would be substantial rewards for not just individuals, but throughout entire communities.

–   Bethan Marsden
Photo: Flickr