Gender equity and equality: A crucial role for Africa moving towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

Gender is social differences between men and women that influence their roles, responsibilities, constraints, opportunities and needs of women and men in a society, community or social group. Gender equality involves women and men have equal power in life. Gender inequality is caused by socio-cultural, educational, economic, biological and religious factors and all these factors are still very prevalent in Africa. There is a gap between women and men in Africa in terms of access to resources such as land, capital, knowledge and technologies that could boost their agricultural activities and enhance their productivity thereby solving the problem of food security, self-reliance and independence in life. The income generated from access to fundamental assets can be reinvested on food, school expenses, clothing, fuel and overseeing family health. Violence against women and girls make them to be more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS, maternal death and child trafficking can be controlled when women and girls actualize their rights which influence their decision making in the households, communities and society. The involvement of women in political processes helps in achieving sustainable peace, democracy and prosperity of the nation. Women are custodian of indigenous knowledge for the management of natural resources including forest and their products thereby enhancing biodiversity. Gender-based discrimination affect employment rate among women increasing the poverty level in Africa. The transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an important process that can be achieved in Africa through gender equality that would promote unity for sustainable development. This paper takes a cursory look at the meaning and concept of gender, gender equality, gender inequality, gender and associated issues under the MDG’s and the journey so far, expectations under the SDG’s particularly in areas of empowerment and development issues etc. Suggestions and recommendations are made for various national governments, individuals as well as other corporate institutions alike.