"Women's empowerment in Africa needs collective efforts" - Experts.

Women's empowerment has been recognized as a complex and multifaceted issue that requires sustained commitment and collaboration from all actors to create an inclusive and equitable society where women and young girls in Africa can fully participate and equally contribute to their communities and countries.

This was echoed during the second edition of the African Soft Power Summit that took place in Kigali from 23rd to 27th May 2023, attracting participants from across the globe to discuss topical issues directly impacting the continent.

One of the exciting sessions during the summit was when the UN Resident Coordinator, Ozonnia Ojielo, interviewed His Royal Highness Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the King of Onitsha in Anambra state, South-Eastern Nigeria. The King emphasized the need to pay attention, especially to women in rural areas who form the majority, by providing developmental facilities such as financial institutions, schools, hospitals, and good roads to uplift them from poverty.

He stated, "More than 50% of the African population are women, and the majority of that percentage live in rural areas. My challenge is how do I empower these women, how do I grow wealth among them."

Despite efforts by governments in Africa to bridge gender gaps, women still face various issues such as lack of access to quality education and healthcare, underrepresentation in decision-making and leadership positions, poverty and economic exclusion, as well as cultural barriers.

However, to address such issues, Amb. (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed, the former Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage, and Culture, expressed the opinion that it is imperative to reform legal instruments to create an enabling environment for young girls and women to thrive.

"We need to ensure that policies addressing these challenges are formulated, adopted, and implemented by governments. It is important to have institutional legal reforms to create the necessary spaces for nurturing and enabling the participation of young women in the economic, political, and social aspects," she said.

According to the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Ozonnia Ojielo, the UN system in Rwanda is closely collaborating with the government through the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion on the gender machinery initiative aimed at promoting women in the country. He stated,

"The UN System is working very closely with the government of Rwanda on gender equality and women's empowerment. We have the Rwanda Gender Machinery under the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion, where we support research and analysis on the gaps women face and strengthen women through legal frameworks and policies in Rwanda."

He further elaborated, "It is not about bringing women up to the same level as men; it's about the quality of success, enabling women to realize their full potential. This conversation explores various options such as the role of the private sector and economic empowerment as vehicles for change and transformation."

In fact, Ozonnia attributed Rwanda's current socio-economic development to government policies aimed at promoting gender equality across all sectors, and he encouraged other African countries to emulate these efforts for the benefit of all citizens on the continent.