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Women’s Rights in Cabo Verde

Women’s Rights in Cabo VerdeCabo Verde has been and continues to actively address women’s rights and promote female empowerment through its law-making and advocacy efforts. Consequently, the country offers a beacon of hope for women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is also work being done to transform the tourism sector to improve women’s rights in Cabo Verde.

Women’s Rights in Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde has made notable developments regarding women’s rights, with the government recognizing gender equality as a critical issue that must be addressed. In 2011 a law protecting women and girls against gender based violence was introduced as well as a legal framework. Since then, continued work has been put in place to uphold the rights of women in the court of law. Despite these efforts, the deep rooted nature of misogyny presents itself as a barrier to achieving gender equality in Cabo Verde. 

Gender Equality and Cabo Verde’s Tourism Sector

Cabo Verde depends on its tourism sector for approximately 25% of its GDP, driving the country rapidly forward in terms of its economic state and quality of life for citizens. As a result of Cabo Verde’s flourishing tourist engagement, there is an abundance of job opportunities available. However, the sector faces limitations regarding female participation. This poses a threat to tourism reaching its full potential as well as a threat to female empowerment and women’s rights in Cabo Verde. 

Women in Cabo Verde struggle to exercise their rights due to the systemic, deep-rooted nature of misogyny. This ensures that women are presented with less accessible educational opportunities, lower-paying and unstable jobs, expectations to uphold traditional values within the household and the threat of gender-based violence. As a result of these challenges, poverty disproportionately affects the women of Cabo Verde, representing, “53% of the poor population as well as 54% of the population in extreme poverty.” This hinders their ability to effectively participate in the tourism sector and hinders their personal economic potential.

Gender Mainstreaming

Recognizing the gender inequality within the tourism sector, U.N. Women and ICIEG came together to develop an action plan to address this through gender mainstreaming, making Cabo Verde one of the earliest tourist countries to do so. Gender mainstreaming involves creating policies that consider the interests and concerns of both men and women, with this action plan focusing on institutional strengthening, training and capacity building and women’s quality and empowerment. However, upon enacting the action plan, it faced complexities. Gender norms and societal expectations of women affect their career choices, often opting for gender-stereotyped, less entrepreneurial positions. The U.N. Women’s office additionally closed down in Cabo Verde which put the action plan on hold from 2017. 

In order to combat these challenges, in 2021 ITCV and ICIEG combined efforts to resume the action plan, also moving forward with new recommendations from the World Bank Group Gender strategy to guarantee that it is as gender responsive as possible, ensuring women ‘better, safe, and more jobs.’ Cabo Verde’s persistence through setbacks highlights their genuine commitment to protecting and improving women’s rights, paving the way for a positive future.

– Imogen Prince

Imogen is based in Oxford, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Ehsaas Program: Empowering Women and Fighting Poverty

The Ehsaas ProgramThe Ehsaas Program, launched by the Government of Pakistan, has become one of the world’s most recognized social protection initiatives. Ehsaas is a word in the Urdu language meaning “to feel,” representing empathy and a commitment to helping those in need. It is the Government of Pakistan’s comprehensive initiative to tackle poverty and inequality. Launched to mitigate the socioeconomic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ehsaas has provided financial relief to millions of vulnerable households, particularly women, through direct cash transfers. The program, led by Dr. Sania Nishtar (currently serving as the CEO of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance), continues to be a model for innovative and scalable poverty alleviation.

Global Recognition and Impact

In a 2021 report by the World Bank, Pakistan’s Ehsaas Emergency Cash Program was highlighted for its remarkable reach, ranking fourth globally in terms of the number of people covered and third in terms of the percentage of the population served. The Ehsaas Emergency Cash initiative disbursed stipends of PKR 12,000 ($48) to nearly 15 million households, benefiting more than 100 million people—almost half of Pakistan’s population. The World Bank praised the program for its rapid rollout and extensive coverage, calling it one of the most impressive large-scale social protection measures worldwide.

Economic Empowerment Through Targeted Initiatives

A significant aspect of the Ehsaas Program is its emphasis on women’s empowerment. More than 50% of its initiatives focus on providing financial security to women. By targeting women for poverty alleviation and supporting the United Nations (U.N.) SDG 5 on gender equality, Ehsaas is empowering women economically and socially.

The Ehsaas Kafaalat Program provides direct cash transfers to low-income women, ensuring that they have the financial support needed for necessities such as food, health care and education. Women have been the focal point of the Ehsaas Interest-Free Loan Scheme, which enables them to start small businesses and gain financial independence. Nishtar highlighted how the empowerment of women is beneficial for society and the economy and that the “government is determined to lift seven million poorest women in Pakistan out of poverty and help them achieve their potential.”

Promoting Sustainable Livelihoods

The Ehsaas Aamdan Program provides sustainable assets such as sewing machines, shops, livestock and vehicles to help individuals generate long-term income. This asset-based approach empowers women to contribute to their families’ economic stability while fostering entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.

Similarly, the Ehsaas Nashonuma Program promotes gender-sensitive financial support for nutrition. Families receive $7.18 for girls and $5.39 for boys younger than 2 years of age, which not only provides vital nutrition for children but also encourages a shift in societal attitudes toward gender equality. By offering higher financial incentives for female children, the program aims to combat cultural practices like female feticide and emphasize the value of female children.

Final Remark

Ehsaas’ implementation provides valuable lessons for other nations, especially in light of the recent crises that have highlighted the need to redefine the role of the welfare state. This presents a unique chance to create a pivotal moment in advancing global social welfare. Moreover, its emphasis on gender equality mirrors the development strategies of economically advanced countries, which have leveraged the potential of their female populations to achieve sustainable growth.

This realization is paving the way for Pakistan’s future economic, social and political development, with women playing a crucial role in these advancements. By empowering women, the Ehsaas Program is driving Pakistan closer to achieving its national development goals while addressing the pressing issues of poverty and inequality.

– Irtija Ahmad

Irtija is based in Slough, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Female Empowerment through Fish Farming in Uganda

Fish Farming in UgandaFish farming has remarkably paved the way for female empowerment within Uganda. Supported by the United Nations (U.N.) Women, the women in the Bugiri District of Uganda are using fish farming to break down gender barriers that prevent them from escaping poverty.

The Situation for Women in Uganda

Uganda is located in Sub-Saharan Africa and has a population of 44.3 million, of which 41% live in poverty, living on less than $1.90 per day. As a developing country, women in Uganda face daily struggles. Approximately 85% of women work in the informal sector, which most often has poor working conditions, unpredictable earnings and job insecurity. Selling and trading at markets is a vital source of income for many women.

However, these women have no rights at work. Women typically struggle to platform their needs and concerns, suffering from frequent rights violations. Additionally, men dominate markets and thus, women are consequently excluded from leadership positions. In the long term, this has led to consequential restrictions on women’s economic participation across Uganda.

Fish Farming

Revolutionarily, women in Bugiri District in Eastern Uganda have broken into the male-dominated fish farming industry. Traditionally, fish farming was reserved for men, meaning women had to find other income sources. However, the women of Uganda have not only mastered the art of fishing but have simultaneously broken down the patriarchal taboo that prevents women from earning a decent livelihood.

Uganda’s Female Fish Farming Program

U.N. Women launched the Women Economic Empowerment Program to support Ugandan women defying gender stereotypes in fish farming. Initiated in 2019, the fish farming program aims to promote greater income security and decent work for Ugandan women, empowering them with economic autonomy by 2050.

U.N. Women and the Bugiri District Local Government specifically support rural women in fish farming activities in Lake Victoria. Before the program, many women with small businesses selling fish struggled. The fish farming program has trained 1,400 women in the district. As a result, there are 28 cages full of Tilapia fish, standing as a testament to the strength and empowerment of Ugandan women.

Female Empowerment through Fish Farming

The fish farming project has largely contributed to Uganda’s gross domestic product (GDP). The women have generated approximately $1.15 million in sales, producing 508.5 tons of fish. Additionally, U.N. Women have provided essential supportive services in the region, such as day care services for children, supplying necessary resources and housing fisherwomen in accommodation.

On an individual level, women across the Bugiri District have significantly benefited from the fish farming project. A resident and fisherwoman in Bugiri, Rose Nakimuli, commended the project, celebrating that she has developed aquaculture skills and learned how to swim and fish. Additionally, female empowerment through the fish farming program has several economic benefits. Women learned essential business management skills, learning how to run a business from start to finish successfully.

The project also strengthened women’s involvement in government and the whole fish value chain. Subsequently, the women established this project as a private company named “Women Economic Empowerment Bugiri” (WEEB). The CEO of WEEB, Ms. Immaculate Were, stated that women are now “specialized in feeding, harvesting, preservation, marketing and trading.” In turn, gender equality across Uganda has improved within homes, as women can earn a decent income to contribute to the family. Furthermore, the fish farming project has reduced gender-based violence because women are empowered within themselves, both socially and financially, instead of relying upon men. One fisherwoman added that “men now view them as heroes.”

Looking Ahead

Overall, female empowerment through fish farming across Uganda has been significant. The continued U.N. support for female empowerment is a hopeful solution to eradicating poverty across Uganda and combating gender inequality. “Once a woman gets wealthy, that’s wealth for the whole nation,” stated Were.

– Sian Ameer-Beg

Sian is based in Durham, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Empowering Women in Comoros: Rights and Opportunities

Women in ComorosIn Comoros, where more than half of the population is female, the legal framework generally supports women’s equality and empowerment. Although Islamic culture traditionally associates land and property ownership with men, in Comoros, certain landholdings known as magnahouli are controlled and managed exclusively by women. These properties are inherited solely through the female line, a practice rooted in the region’s matriarchal African traditions.

Employment Equality and Women’s Work Rights

Laws governing wages and employment opportunities for women are highly progressive in the country. The Union of the Comoros recognizes the equality of all citizens before the law, regardless of race, sex, religion or political belief and guarantees the full enjoyment of fundamental freedoms. This legal framework ensures that women have the right to apply for the same jobs as men, reinforcing gender equality in the workplace.

Women face few restrictions in the workplace, bolstering their rights and challenging traditional gender roles. The law mandates equal pay for equal work, regardless of the industry or the perceived danger of the job. This legislative framework supports women’s participation in all types of employment, including night shifts and industrial roles, which historically have been labeled as “manly” jobs. According to United Nations (U.N.) data, over a third of adult women in Comoros are active in the labor force. Halima Said, a 25-year-old working in the accounting unit of the interior ministry, expresses this sentiment of equality, “We have rights and I feel equal to my husband. He’s in teaching and I work in administration.”

Educational Opportunities for Women

Educational access for girls has historically been limited due to male dominance in schooling. However, significant changes occurred after the implementation of the National Gender Equity and Equality Policy (PNEEG) in 2007, which guaranteed equal educational opportunities and control over resources, including reproductive health. By 2014, the effects of this policy were evident: 48.7% of girls, compared to 46.3% of boys, completed lower secondary school. This shift over just seven years marks a significant advancement in promoting women’s educational rights in Comoros.

Marriage Laws and Family Rights

Most men who can afford to get married in Comoros opt for polygynous unions with matrilocal residences, meaning they have multiple wives but live in the wife’s family home. The Code de la Famille, Article 57, requires mutual consent for marriage, safeguarding the rights of both parties. Additionally, the law upholds women’s autonomy by granting them the right to make independent decisions without the obligation to obey their husbands.

Agreements and Women’s Rights Advancements

Comoros ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, setting the minimum age for marriage at 18. This aligns with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), ratified in 1994, which mandates free and full consent for marriage. Women’s rights in Comoros have significantly improved; there are more women in parliament than ever before. The rate of intimate partner violence in Comoros is 27% lower than the global average. Since 1991, conditions in vulnerable work environments have dramatically improved. These developments highlight Comoros’ commitment to advancing women’s rights and making the islands a safer, more thriving place for women.

Looking Ahead

Comoros demonstrates a strong commitment to gender equality through progressive laws and educational advancements for women. The implementation of policies like the National Gender Equity and Equality Policy (PNEEG) has significantly increased educational opportunities for girls. Additionally, the country’s legal framework supports women’s rights in employment and family law, ensuring equal pay and autonomy in marriage. These strides highlight Comoros’ dedication to empowering women and promoting equality across all sectors.

– Sadie Virgin

Sadie is based in Newport, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Child Marriage in Lebanon

Child Marriage in LebanonIn Lebanon, 20% of girls are victims of child marriage. In 2017, UNICEF published a regional study on child marriage in Lebanon, reporting that the percentage of child marriage in the country varies with nationality. The study reported that 6% of the victims were Lebanese, 12% were Palestinian refugees from Lebanon, 25% were Palestinian refugees from Syria and 40.5% were Syrian refugees. The unstable political situation in the Middle East has made Lebanon a focal point for refugees who also become victims of child marriage.

Poverty and Child Marriage

Poverty affects 44% of the population in Lebanon. Between 2019 and 2021, the GDP per capita in Lebanon fell by 36.5%. In addition, The World Bank re-classified Lebanon from an upper-middle-income to a lower-middle-income country in July 2022. With unemployment hitting 300,000 individuals and a great increase in the intake of refugees, the rate of child marriage has seen growth, according to UNICEF.

Conflict causing a large refugee intake strained the Lebanese infrastructure and finances, resulting in refugees finding themselves undocumented and finding a solution in child marriage.

Those who live in Lebanon have also seen a rise in prices for their most basic needs, with inflation increasing by 200% since 2019, according to Anera. This results in many Lebanese, also non-refugees, having to marry off their daughters to survive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also led to an increase in child marriage in Lebanon. Since the beginning of the pandemic, up to 10 more million girls worldwide are at risk of being victims of child marriage in the next decade. With school closures during the pandemic, the probability of child marriage could be 25% higher.

A Change Is Possible

UNICEF report shows that an approach to education can change the perception of child marriage. The report shows that 62.3% of girls who go to school are against child marriage, followed by 45% of girls who dropped out and 37.2% of girls with no education.

This demonstrates that there is a relationship between child marriage and education. Therefore, an increase in political pressure on educational policies in Lebanon and the Middle East could have a positive impact by reducing the cases of child marriage.

Lebanon does not have a personal status law that regulates issues like the legal marriage age. Instead, 18 different religious groups are regulating this issue, according to DW. In December 2020, The Sunni Supreme Islamic Council approved raising the minimum age for marriage to 18. Likewise, between November 2020 and December of the same year, Shiite Muslim religious authorities claimed to raise the minimum age of marriage to 15, DW reports.

A Structural Approach

ABAAD is an organization that fights for gender equality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. ABAAD collaborated with Queens University to study what factors affect child marriage, aiming to obtain through data collection an understanding of why child marriage happens and how its cause(s) can be intersectional.

The study targeted different groups, ranging from mothers of victims of child marriage to community leaders and as was known previously, showed that some of the root causes of child marriage are education, political situations, instability and poverty.

ABAAD’s study, however, also provided a conclusion that is central to future strategies to prevent child marriage in Lebanon. The results demonstrated that female and male participants responded differently to the causes of child marriage, showing that the approach is gendered. From this, ABAAD concluded that future strategies, therefore, can target groups who have a differentiated opinion and aim to shift this gendered narrative. Such as challenging the gendered male narrative of being responsible for a family’s income.

Different factors affect the situation of child marriage in Lebanon. This is seen in how child marriage ranges with nationality, with studies demonstrating that education can impact the approach to child marriage, proving how its perception ranges with different societal groups.

Child Marriage in Lebanon therefore has multiple intersectional causes. With progress from the religious communities and organizations such as ABAAD that target these root causes, one can see a slow but positive shift.

– Daniela Maldonado

Daniela is based in London, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Legislation Passed: Child Marriage in Sierra Leone is Banned

Child Marriage in Sierra LeoneOn July 2, 2024, President Julius Maada Bio signed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act to end the widespread practice in Sierra Leone.

Law That Aims to Protect

In Sierra Leone, a milestone has been achieved in the country; the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act was recently signed into effect, eradicating all child marriages younger than the age of 18. This includes conspiracy, aiding and abetting a child to enter marriage; violators can expect strict penalties if found guilty, with punishments of up to 15 years in prison and approximately $4,000 fine.

Obligations on community and religious leaders will require them to take strong measures so they don’t officiate child marriages and no person is allowed to attend the ceremony involving a child. It will also prevent cohabitation with a child regardless of whether married or not, criminalizing both as offenses.

The new bill contributes to protecting women, girls and children from harmful practices, even employing marriage prohibition officers who will work within communities to advise and issue reports, ensuring the law is being followed.

The Scale of Child Marriage

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), an estimated 800,000 child brides reside in Sierra Leone, with half having been married before the age of 15 years. Child marriage is common in the country, with 30% of girls aged 20 to 24 years old married before age 18 and 13% married before age 15.

The reasons for child marriage are complex and vary: poverty, education, gender inequality, religion and even inheritance are all factors related to this ongoing issue. Families with limited resources seek to find ways for their children to gain opportunities; by offering a bride in the form of a child, the motivation is not just economic, but also a custom and local practice.

Education, FGM and Risks

The effects of child marriage have been devasting, resulting in many disadvantages for women and girls throughout their lives. Girls are often less educated and unable to complete secondary school, which limits their employment opportunities. This makes them underrepresented in skilled and professional industries and digital literacy, such as the internet, cell phones and technology that can provide them access to more resources and information.

There is also the divisive practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) used to initiate girls into womanhood and prepare them for marriage. It’s a method of suppressing women’s and girls’ sexual urges and keeping them focused on the woman’s responsibilities and duties she will face within her home. According to the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey, 83% of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 years have undergone FGM.

Final Remark

Additional concerns that must be addressed are fear of retaliation for having a family member imprisoned and increased poverty, which will prevent many from following the new law. Therefore, it will take much involvement from the community for this law to make a substantial impact. The benefits for women, girls and children are great for now. They can finish school, gain more skills and seek opportunities. Most of all, they can enjoy childhood without the pressures of being forced into child marriage.

– Tanita Love

Tanita is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Women in Turkmenistan

Women in Turkmenistan Turkmenistan spans 189,656 square miles in Central Asia and operates under a strict totalitarian regime that severely restricts its citizens’ freedoms, including religious practices and media access. In 2021, the country reported that 16,000 people lived in multidimensional poverty, with an additional 22,000 at risk. The nation’s isolation and oppressive government policies make daily life challenging. Women experience profound disadvantages, facing various forms of violence and lacking opportunities to participate in organizational or advocacy roles. Consequently, about 60% of women in Turkmenistan cannot make independent decisions about their health care, underscoring the significant gender inequalities prevalent in the society.

Restrictions on Women’s Freedoms

The restrictions on women in Turkmenistan extend beyond health care and organizational rights. Recently, a “Taliban-style ban” has been imposed, prohibiting women from wearing tight clothing and using beauty enhancements such as hair dye, fake lashes and nails. Additionally, the ban extends to cosmetic surgeries, including popular procedures like lip fillers and eyebrow microblading. Women who previously had these enhancements or who attempted to bypass these restrictions are facing severe consequences, including job loss and police detention.

Enforcement and Consequences

Turkmenistan has further curtailed women’s freedoms by restricting their transportation options, barring them from sitting in the front seats of cars or being picked up by male drivers who are not relatives. These regulations were not formally announced but are strictly enforced. Authorities rigorously inspect women in both private and public settings to ensure compliance with these transportation and beauty standards. Women found violating these rules face severe penalties, including arrest, job termination and fines that are substantial relative to their monthly income.

International Aid and Women’s Advocacy

Despite numerous challenges, women in Turkmenistan can find support from international organizations aiming to improve their futures. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations (U.N.) Population Fund are actively involved in this mission. The U.N. Population Fund, in collaboration with state parties, is providing housing, shelter and work opportunities for women affected by violence in Turkmenistan. Simultaneously, UNDP initiatives are enhancing local infrastructure, supplying clean resources and energy and bolstering peace efforts. Additionally, USAID supports women by equipping national civil servants with the skills necessary to promote gender equality, offering a critical platform for change in the lives of Turkmen women.

Looking Ahead

International organizations like USAID, UNDP and the U.N. Population Fund continue to provide crucial support to women in Turkmenistan, despite the severe restrictions they face. These ongoing efforts include providing shelters, work opportunities and essential resources, along with promoting gender equality and peace initiatives. By equipping local civil servants and enhancing infrastructure, these organizations aim to create a more equitable and supportive environment for Turkmen women, offering hope amid challenging conditions.

– Yeliz Turkdil

Yeliz is based in Norman, OK, USA and focuses on World News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Empowering Women in West Africa

Women in West AfricaFrom Benin, Dossi Sekonnou Gloria remarks that “in West Africa, civil society organizations (CSOs) are viewed with a negative eye.” Discriminatory behavior and practices persist in Benin and regions across Africa. Women’s participation and representation in political processes are continuously undermined. The common perception of women as the “weaker race” poses challenges to women’s rights activists. However, that has not stopped Gloria’s desire to address social inequalities and empower women in West Africa.

The Women Leaders Network for Development

In 2012, Gloria founded the Women Leaders Network for Development or Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD). RFLD is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable development and, more specifically, gender equality and women’s rights. The organization is based in West Africa and has its headquarters in Benin. RFLD is active in 27 countries and works with more than 60 women-led organizations, tackling both “structural and individual barriers to gender equality” and “social inclusion.”

Focus and Expertise

RFLD seeks to empower women in the context of regional initiatives that focus on issues surrounding:

  1. Economic Justice: This involves promoting sustainable livelihoods and financial independence among women.
  2. Ending Harmful Practices: This involves combatting gender-based violence, genital mutilation and other detrimental customs.
  3. Climate Justice: This involves teaching women how to adapt to climate change and develop sustainable practices.
  4. Human Rights: This involves protecting all human rights and providing access to sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice.
  5. Peace and Security: This involves promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding.
  6. Media Development and Freedom: This involves promoting media literacy to identify and combat harmful narratives.
  7. Integration of Gender and Social Inclusion: This involves including women in decision-making processes and providing equal access to services and resources.

Strategic Plan 2023-2028

In March 2024, RFLD announced that it was raising $10 million to fund its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan. The vision for change lies within the plan’s objectives, promoting:

  • Women’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and representation in decision-making bodies. 
  • Civil liberties and democratic values with a focus on human rights through our activities. 
  • Economic justice for women.
  • The principle of participatory governance, the innovative capacity of civil society and the development of the media.

The plan emphasizes the importance of women human rights defenders (WHRDs). Experienced women are best suited to address unique gender-based challenges, offer fresh perspectives and lead efforts in various human rights struggles, making their involvement essential for lasting change. WHRDs not only safeguard basic rights and freedoms but actively work to expand their influence and effectiveness. RFLD has recognized the vital role of these stakeholders and now strives to empower them with its strategic plan.

Country-Level Impact

Notable areas of impact are the issues covered at a country level. Across 27 countries, RFLD conducts awareness campaigns and education workshops, provides training and resources and supports a range of women, from entrepreneurs to small farmers. It also raises civil society activists, lawyers and judges on women’s rights.

From supporting women in the fishing industry in Mauritania and promoting gender equality in cocoa farming in Ghana to combating food insecurity and early marriage in Chad, RFLD’s work follows its various issues of focus. In Mauritius, the organization promotes women’s entrepreneurship in the technology sector. In the Central African Republic, RFLD promotes peacebuilding through interfaith dialogue. Its impact across sub-Saharan Africa is variable and ongoing and this hard work has allowed the RFLD’s progress to spread.

RFLD’s Delegation

The nonprofit’s influence is now reaching the African Union. The RFLD is funding a 13-person delegation to attend the 6th Gender Is My Agenda Campaign Network (GIMAC) Strategic Engagement in Accra, Ghana. The GIMAC Network aims to promote the rights and leadership of women in West Africa and monitor the implementation of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa.

These events will go from 12 to 15 July 2024. The theme of the 6th GIMAC Strategic Engagement is “Educational Transformation for Gender Equity and Sustainability.” With a delegation composed of young women leaders, government officials and CSOs, women’s voices are amplified and contributions are made toward the future of girls’ education in Africa. The delegates also will benefit from the opportunity to network with influential leaders, represent their constituencies and contribute to discussions.

RFLD’s strategic plan, country-level impact and delegation are significant strides in women’s empowerment in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization symbolizes hope for a future where women in West Africa can flourish and fully exercise their rights.

– Caroline Albright

Caroline is based in Milton, MA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How FUNDAP Is Improving Women’s Education in Guatemala

Women’s Education in GuatemalaAs a strongly patriarchal society, Guatemala has made progress toward gender equality in the past years. This is partially due to work done by the Foundation for the Integral Development of Socioeconomic Programs (FUNDAP). This nonprofit organization uses six different programs (education, health, microcredit, handicraft, agricultural and environmental) to educate women. FUNDAP is elevating and empowering women to cultivate growth in various impoverished regions of Guatemala.

What Is FUNDAP?

FUNDAP is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 that focuses on improving the lives of people (specifically women) in rural areas of the Republic of Guatemala. It is dedicated to moving forward with respect for people’s dignity and culture, avoiding the patriarchy to empower local women.

How Does FUNDAP Work toward Empowering Women?

FUNDAP operates by first monitoring at-risk and poverty-stricken areas and then evaluating the best ways to assist the residents. Following the evaluation, it implements various changes, which often involve creating job opportunities, offering financial support to local women and developing tools for sustainable environmental use.

After these changes are enacted, FUNDAP will focus specifically on individual women, limiting its view from the wider community to the impoverished woman. It will help the women learn important habits (like hygiene, nutrition, literary and financial literacy), develop their sense of self (through self-confidence) and then educate those women until they are qualified workers in a specialized field.

Like many patriarchal societies, Guatemala holds a deep cultural belief in specific gender roles and biases. These cause great difficulties for women trying to achieve financial stability or even financial independence, as many locals do not support women’s businesses. This is not to say that women entrepreneurs do not exist in Guatemala. In fact, they make up the majority of lower-level businesses. The problem lies in the fact that they lack access to the necessary tools and are being denied opportunities to enhance their businesses and progress to the next level.

FUNDAP assists women in advancing to the next level by providing them with the education that has been denied to them due to their gender. The organization also works with them to cultivate self-confidence and affirm gender equality. By teaching women how to save, invest in equipment smartly and handle their finances, the organization allows local women to feel confident and secure in their businesses.

FUNDAP Improves Women’s Education in Guatemala

FUNDAP offers six programs that Guatemalan women can join. The programs focus on providing specialized training to make women highly qualified in areas such as education, healthcare, microcredit, handicrafts, agriculture and the environment. These programs are designed to educate and empower women to excel in specific fields of their interest.

Impacts

While many international programs and nonprofits have focused on education, FUNDAP provides diverse opportunities for women’s education in Guatemala. According to the World Bank, in 1980, only 17% of Guatemalan women were enrolled in secondary education. However, by 2022, that number had risen to 47%. These programs are effective and although they take time, they often achieve their goals.

In 2023 alone, FUNDAP helped more than 181,000 people with its programs, with more than 83% of those beneficiaries being women. FUNDAP is an organization with a wide reach throughout Guatemala. It identified a problem and took active steps to address it by providing education and empowerment to women.

– Paige Tamasi

Paige is based in Los Gatos, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Strides for Gender Equality in Sierra Leone

Strides for Gender Equality in Sierra LeoneSierra Leone, located along the West African Atlantic coast, boasts fertile landscapes that support prosperous agricultural systems. Despite this, the nation has grappled with severe women’s rights issues. A significant change occurred in January 2023 when President Julius Maada Bio enacted the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE). This law marks a transformative moment for women in the country, heralding a new era of enhanced equality and rights.

Historic Legislation for Gender Equality

The Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE) mandates that public and private sector employers allocate 30% of job openings to women, including leadership roles. It also requires political parties to ensure that 30% of their candidates for parliamentary and local elections are women. Additionally, the act provides for 14-week maternity leave, mandates equal pay for equal work and grants women equal access to financial support and training. Noncompliance with GEWE carries significant penalties. This legislation represents a significant advancement toward gender equality in Sierra Leone, where women make up 52% of the population but hold fewer than 20% of elected positions. The implementation of GEWE aims to correct this imbalance, empowering more women to assume leadership roles.

Educational Challenges for Women

In Sierra Leone, literacy among women remains a significant issue, with educational opportunities limited from an early age. Among girls aged 15 to 24, 41% have not finished primary education and girls are more likely to drop out of secondary school than boys. A major factor contributing to this educational gap is the high rate of early marriage; nearly 30% of girls marry before the age of 18, severely curtailing their educational pursuits. Consequently, only 2% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are both married and attending school, leading to a female illiteracy rate of 57.65%.

Legislative Advances in Education

In April 2023, Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, significantly advancing educational access for married women and young mothers. Previously, until 2020, the government prohibited pregnant women and mothers from attending school. This new legislation guarantees their right to continue education, a vital step toward keeping young women and their families out of poverty by ensuring they can pursue schooling regardless of marital or parental status.

Sierra Leone’s Commitment to Educational Reform

The enactment of Sierra Leone’s Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act marks significant progress in educational equality for women. Starting in 2018, the government prioritized education, implementing several key legislations such as the Free Quality Education Programme and laws supporting the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Rights and Welfare of the Child. These ongoing measures have made education more accessible by reducing financial barriers and guaranteeing free, compulsory education for all children. Recently, the focus has expanded to include specific protections for women’s education, a major advancement for women’s rights in Sierra Leone.

Hope for the Future

The Gender Equality and Empowerment Act, along with the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, signify a pivotal shift in women’s rights in Sierra Leone. Before the enactment of these laws, no legislation explicitly protected the educational, political and civil rights of women in the country. These legislative measures, aiming to secure women’s job security and educational opportunities, offer a hopeful outlook for the future of women in the country, providing them with new opportunities to succeed.

– Ellie Buss

Ellie is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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