International Women's Day | March 8

Celebrating women's social, economic, and political achievements across Africa. The day also raises awareness about gender parity—according to the World Economic Forum, global equality is estimated to take until 2133 but African women are driving change. #InternationalWomensDay

What is gender equality?

Equal access to rights and opportunities regardless of gender, including:

- Healthcare

- Education

- Employment and fair pay

- Legal protection

- Voting rights

- Freedom from violence

Progress & challenges in Africa

- Politics: Women like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (Liberia) and Joyce Banda (Malawi) have broken barriers as heads of state. Rwanda leads globally with 61% women in parliament.

- Education: Initiatives like the African Union's Continental Education Strategy are boosting girls' enrollment, but 9 million African girls remain out of school.

- Economic power: Women contribute up to 80% of agricultural labor in sub-Saharan Africa, yet often lack land rights and access to finance.

- Tech & innovation: Platforms like Nigerian fintech startups are empowering women entrepreneurs, while campaigns like #AfricaWomenInTech amplify opportunity's.

Key challenges persist

- Harmful practices: Female genital mutilation, child marriage, and gender-based violence remain widespread in some regions.

- Pay gap: African women earn 30–40% less than men on average, with limited access to formal employment.

- Leadership gaps: Only 7 African countries have met the 30% quota for women in parliament.

How to observe #InternationalWomensDay in Africa

- Attend local events like the Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum

- Support women-led businesses (e.g., via SheTrades or ImpactHer platforms)

- Advocate for policies on girls' education, land rights, and anti-GBV laws

- Celebrate African trailblazers like Wangari Maathai (Nobel laureate), Leymah Gbowee (peace activist), or Nadine Mbemba (tech innovator)

- Share stories of local women changemakers on social media 

History

IWD roots trace to early 20th-century activism. In Africa, women have long led struggles for independence and rights—from Algeria’s FLN to South Africa’s anti-apartheid movements.

Amplifying African Women's Voices: Resources & Opportunities

Waele Africa Foundation is a fantastic organization empowering African women through education, leadership, and economic empowerment. Their initiatives include:

- Empowerment through Education: Offering skills development and training programs

- Leadership Development: Equipping women with leadership skills and mentorship

- Economic Empowerment: Promoting entrepreneurship and financial inclusion

- Advocacy for Equality: Championing women's rights and gender equality

They've also organized conferences like the African Women Widows Empowerment program, supporting 900 women across Africa.

Additional Resources:

- Organizations & Networks:

    - African Women's Development Fund (AWDF)

    - UN Women Africa

    - ImpactHer

    - SheTrades

    - African Women's Leadership Network (AWLN)

- Media & Publications:

    - African Women in Media

    - The Female Quotient Africa

    - African Feminist

- Digital Platforms:

    - Women in Tech Africa

    - African Women in Agriculture

    - African Women in Leadership

- Funding Opportunities:

    - African Development Bank's Gender Equality Fund

    - UN Women's Africa Fund

    - ImpactHer Fund

- Events & Conferences:

   - Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF)

    - African Union's African Women's Decade

    - Women Deliver Africa Conference

These resources amplify African women's voices, promote their work, and create opportunities for growth and development.