African Union and its determination towards women empowerment

Successful 3rd episode for Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture Series on Environment, Development and Society at Micro Business College

Mercy A Odongo, Second Secretary, Embassy of Kenya offers 3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture on 'African Union and Women Empowerment: Trials and Triumphs' at the Library Hall of Micro Business College's Ambo campus on 18th February. PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

Ambo: Second Secretary of the Embassy of Kenya, Ms. Mercy A. Odongo offered third Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture at Micro Business College today. She, on behalf of the Ambassador of Kenya, Ms. Catherine Muigai Mwangi was speaking on 'African Union and Women Empowerment: Trials and Triumphs'. She was accompanied by her colleague, Mr. Edson K. Ndirangu, Second Secretary, Embassy of Kenya.

While beginning her talk, Ms. Mercy was duly recollecting on the female legends of the ancient times including Queen Ann Nzinga (Angola), Makeda the Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia), Queen Ahmose-Nefertiti (Egypt) Mbuya Nehanda (Zimbabwe), Dahia Al-Kahina (Mauritania) and Buktu of Mali. "The continent has taken many decisions towards gender parity" she said. While mentioning on the foundation for the African Union's gender commitment, she said that the base was fortified through Constitutive Act, AU Protocol on Women's Rights, Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, Africa Women's Decade and the Fund for African Women.

Audience for the 3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

When in July 2004, the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA) was adopted, it was the first ever continental organization to ownership of gender mainstreaming at the highest level. In order to further the best utilization of SDGEA, the African Women's Movement launched a campaign named 'Gender is my agenda' which was aimed at informing and mobilizing civil societies for the meaningful realization of the SDGEA.

Audience for the 3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

The ongoing African Women's Decade that began in 2010 has prompted the declaration of "Year of Women's Empowerment and Development towards Africa's Agenda 2063" as the theme for 2015 AU summits. "The agenda 2063 envisages to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls and to enable them to fully enjoy all human rights, which means the curtailment of all harmful social practices [...]" the Second Secretary added.

Audience for the 3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

Pan-Africanism and people-driven, bottom-up mechanism are the salient features of the Agenda 2063, wherein African values and determination enjoy a dignified control over the process. There is a 10-year action plan that aims at recognizing gender equality and women's empowerment as critical drivers for the transformation and development of the continent.

Audience for the 3rd Wangari Maathai Memorial Lecture PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

Ms. Mercy recollected the UN third World Conference on Women held in Nairobi in 1985 when the gender issue was first brought to mainstream among African societies. She said that regarding the elective political positions, countries like Rwanda, Senegal and South Africa have achieved admirable percentage for women. While pointing to the fact that Sub-Saharan woman constitute over 65 percent of the agriculture labour force and about 80 percent informal labour force in their region, the speaker described women the backbone of African economy. 

As Ethiopian National Anthem, followed by the Earth Anthem was flowing in, everyone on and off the dais stood up in reverence. In this photo, from left, President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun; Second Secretary of Embassy of Kenya, Ms. Mercy A Odongo and her counterpart, Mr. Edson K. Ndirangu; Deputy Administrator of West Shoa Zone, Mr. Tadesse Kudama; Coordinator (RD & C) of Micro Business College, Mr. Sivakumar K.P. ; and Member, Governing Council of the College, Dr. Nebiyu Abera.
 PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

While decision making and conflict resolution come, women have played critical role in reaching out along the divides and motivating parties towards harmony in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

President of Micro Business College, Mr. Abera Tilahun honours Ms. Mercy A Odongo by draping her with a traditional Oromo shawl over PHOTO: TESHALE CHALUMA

The UN Women that kicked off in 2010 now provides an encouraging global lead in the elimination of discrimination against women and girls. What remains nonnegotiable for the African women are peace and security. Violence and conflict never give a place for a talk on women.  

Major impediment to women empowerment in Africa is patriarchy. “Men pretty much call the shots in all social, political and economic spheres. Any woman who tries to go on the contrary is viewed as rebellious”, Ms. Mercy said. Needed is an intellectual intervention to challenge patriarchy. 

The fact that the modern gender perspectives and methodologies often set aside the cultural norms, community leaders and even local women folk, is also a drawback to the system. Ms. Mercy A Odongo concluded quoting a 1995 statement by Hilary Clinton, “Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights” and interpreting it as ensuring equal rights for women was not some kind of a favour.