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The NGO consultations prior to this Conference took place on the 19th and 20th of November 1999. It was organized by the NGO Task Force comprising 8 African Regional NGOs, who were invited by ECA/ACW to be part of the technical preparatory committee for this Sixth African Regional Conference on Women.
Participants from 40 African countries took part in the consultations. It is important to note that this was not an NGO Forum similar to the one preceding the Fifth Regional Conference on Women. It is a consultation because a decision was taken to have NGOs as equal participants in what otherwise is an inter-governmental conference. The aim was to facilitate meaningful dialogue and joint discussions of critical issues and to avoid having parallel meetings which might lead to NGOs and Governments talking at each other instead of to each other.
In order to strengthen and coordinate the NGO participation in this Conference, the consultation was organised with the following objectives:
The consultations examined the twelve critical areas of concern to assess the achievements and challenges as well as mapping innovative ways forward into the next millennium. In the last five years there has been some progress made in the implementation of the strategic objectives of the African and Global Platforms for Action in certain areas, while at the same time there has been considerable deterioration in the situation of women. For example, there has been wholesale ratification of CEDAW. Of the 53 countries in Africa, 46 have ratified CEDAW, but some have also entered a number of reservations which strike at the heart of the Convention. Most reservations are made on cultural grounds and usually exclude obligations in one of the most crucial spheres for women – the family.
There has also been progress in implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action by member states of the OAU. By 1998 forty countries of Africa had a national plan of action or a draft plan to guide the implementation of the PFA
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We identified the following trends under each critical area of concern:
1. Women and poverty/economic empowerment
In the area of poverty and economic empowerment, women continue to constitute the majority of the poor, lacking access to resources such as land, capital, technology, water and adequate and nutritious food. Global trade negotiations are reinforcing the marginalization of Africa, particularly in the area of property rights, patenting of resources and knowledge. For example, the production of the terminator seed and patenting of indigenous resources, misappropriation and mismanagement of resources has lead to increased feminization of poverty and starvation on the continent.
The economic reforms are not people-centred and include wholesale privatization that has led to increased impoverishment and disempowerment of women.
2. Women and education and training and access to science and technology
Although most countries have sophisticated policies, which apparently address issues of gender imbalance, the gender gaps continue at all levels. In spite of all the activities like increased enrolment in schools and literacy programmes, illiteracy among women continues to grow in real and concrete terms.
There is also a tendency to provide so-called appropriate technology which has proved ineffective in reducing drudgery and has not added value to women’s productivity.
The participation of women and girls in science and technology is still very limited, and there is resistance in accepting women in what have become male-dominated fields.
3. Women, culture, the family and socialization
Women continue to be disadvantaged by discriminatory cultural practices. Patriarchy is still deeply entrenched in all African societies. Several strategies have been used to bring about change. These include awareness raising, and conscientization campaigns. NGOs have been quite active in sensitization and advocacy campaigns against cultural practices that hinder the advancement of women.
4. Women’s Health and Reproductive Health
A significant number of countries have prioritized women’s health and reproduction as an area of concern, however, the health status of women in all African countries remains a concern. Women’s health is affected by gender bias in policies, programmes and practices. Decreased health spending and privatization of health care systems in many countries without guaranteeing universal access to affordable health care has affected the health of women and girls.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has negatively affected women in many ways, such as an increase in infection and increase in the demands made on women as carers. The HIV/AIDS tragedy is devastating the African continent, and women are extremely vulnerable.
We also note from studies that since 1995, the rates of maternal and infant mortality have risen.
5. Women, Environment and Natural Resource Management
In the last five years there has been an increase in the formation of governmental and non-governmental structures that focus on the role of women in relation to the environment and natural resource management. This has led to an increased awareness of the necessity to involve women in decisions and programmes to preserve the environment. Examples of actions taken include the increased participation of women in the development of alternative sources of energy and capacity building of women on the use of natural resources such as water and fuel wood in a sustainable manner.
Environmental Impact Assessments that are being carried out in relation to the rapid industrialization are not taking into account the specific impact on women’s health, social, political and cultural well being, neither are they taking into account the negative impact on women’s lives of the destruction of the environment.
6. Women, Politics and Decision-Making
There has been an increase in the number of women in decision making in many African countries. As a result of more awareness and increasing profile of African women in public life, there are now some African women who are ready and willing to seek the highest decision-making positions in their country i.e. Liberia and Kenya. Affirmative action programs have helped many women get into positions of decision-making in those countries implementing the programs. For example 41% of women in Namibia got into local government. Decentralisation programs have also enabled more women at grassroots level enter into decision-making.
There is some demonstrable political will to support women in decision-making especially in countries such as South Africa, Uganda and Mozambique. Several national and regional NGOs have also been following the trends, which affect women in politics and decision-making. They conduct research, and provide support for women in the planning stages of political campaigns, give them information, provide analysis of complex issues and also run leadership development programs.
7. Women’s Legal and Human Rights
In many African countries, women are still regarded as second class citizens, minors, junior males and /or property of their husbands. Even in countries where there are progressive legislations, the Executive and/or Judiciary sustain actions and rulings, which discriminate against women. In instances where laws and constitutions are progressive, societal attitudes and behaviours remain the same.
Six African countries have not ratified CEDAW as of 1999, 46 have ratified, one has signed and 7 have ratified with reservations. These reservations all relate to the basic principles of the Convention such as non-discrimination against women and family laws. There have been positive developments such as the optional protocol to CEDAW which for example now allows groups of people to lodge complaints
There is also the Additional Protocol on Women’s Rights to the Africa Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which is a progressive, far-reaching document. The Draft has been accepted and will be passed on to the OAU for adoption.
Violence against women in Africa is on the increase. Femicides, acid attacks, ritual murders, gang rapes, abduction, girl-child slavery, ritual rapes, military sexual slavery, cultism in tertiary institutions, trafficking in women and girls, are all new and old trends. Women in Africa still remain vulnerable to harmful traditional practices and traditions, many of which expose them to risk of HIV and AIDS which has been devastating the continent. There are now universal standards which provide a framework for human rights, liberty and freedom, which African governments have made commitments to in many international conventions and agreements. There is therefore no excuse for the continued discrimination against women and violations of their human rights.
8. Involvement of Women in the Peace Process.
Africa is worse off now than it was five years ago in terms of conflict. Several African countries are still at war. Over 2 million Africans have lost their lives in wars and genocides over the past five years, many more are displaced as refugees, and the nature of conflicts has changed form inter-State to intra-State. Conflicts have left many affected countries deeply traumatised and have resulted in violent societies, especially towards women. Wars and conflicts in Africa have made communities, especially women, more vulnerable to HIV & AIDS, and have increased the feminization of poverty. In addition, landmines and the illicit proliferation of small arms are a huge menace and threat to security, and have killed and maimed thousands. Impunity and crimes against humanity, especially women, have gone unpunished. There has also been a tragic problem of thousands of child soldiers.
Whilst noting that there have been many regional initiatives for peace and conflict resolution, some of the initiatives to bring about peace have lacked credibility and legitimacy and have amounted to a waste of resources which could have been better used. At the level of civil society, there has been a broad-based mobilisation of women for peace throughout the continent and at all levels. This has led to the creation of many national and regional networks on peace. Women, in collaboration with other allies, have been actively engaged in promoting a culture of peace through dialogue, mediation, peace campaigns, peace education, art and poetry, seminars and conferences, and have demonstrated courage and fortitude under extremely difficult circumstances.
9. Mainstreaming of Gender Disaggregated Data
Some attempts have been made to collect gender disaggregated data by the governments but on the whole, governments have not prioritized the collection of gender disaggregated data. Therefore, the sources of information themselves have no disaggregated data.
In spite of the efforts of civil society organizations to collect such data, the trend is to accept and use government data which is often not necessarily more reliable.
10. Women, Communication, Information and Arts
As a result of the mobilization and sensitization during the preparations for Beijing, there are a number of media programmes, both electronic and print, to counter the negative attitudes on women. In most countries, the participation of women in the media has increased in terms of numbers, however, they are not in decision-making positions. Images of African women in popular culture and the media still remain discriminatory, stereotyped and backward.
11. The Girl Child
Almost all-African countries have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, yet there is a marked increase in the incidences and nature of the violation of the rights of children. This is manifested through sexual abuse, trafficking, child labour, early marriage (institutionalized pedophilia) and the overall neglect of the welfare of children.
Issues relating to minimum age of marriage which would protect the girls’ rights to education are ignored by almost all the countries.
The African Charter on the Welfare of the Child is still unratified by many countries. More and more young girls are being exposed to HIV/AIDS through traditional beliefs and practices which encourage intercourse with young girls as a cure for the disease.
12. Institutional Mechanisms
In Africa the trend has been that governments have established different forms of national machineries e.g. ministries, commissions, councils. But according to a study initiated by one NGO in eight countries in Africa, in terms of practice, these structures do not have strong political support and are not located at the highest level. They tend not to have the necessary technical capabilities and adequate resources.
There is lack of dialogue between the government and NGOs. Consequently collaboration between national machineries and NGOs has been limited. Thus the actions outlined for implementation under the PFA have not materialized.
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In many African countries, there is still a lack of political will to implement the commitments made at Dakar and Beijing. Although there has been a lot of rhetoric, it has not been followed by action even where there are national or regional mechanisms for doing so. Many African countries have ratified CEDAW and other international instruments, but have failed to integrate these into national laws.
In all countries, the entrenchment of patriarchy in customs, traditions, attitudes has led to an intensification of discrimination against women in all forms. As we approach the new millennium, women are confronted by more brutal forms of violence of and deprivation of their rights. The rights that have been gained are being eroded by the rise of conservatism and fundamentalism. Culture is being reinvented with a male face rather than from the perspective of gender justice. .
Governance: Lack of involvement of women in decision-making processes has led to further marginalization of gender issues and increased discrimination against women at all levels. Lack of democracy and good governance has led to corruption and mismanagement of resources.
Governments have failed to allocate resources for the implementation of the Platform for action. No budgetary allocation to national machineries, or to critical sectors such as education , health and agriculture.
Macro economic policies have been fashioned in such a way as to undermine women’s social economic needs and are inconsistent with the commitments made under the Platform for Action.
NGOs have not been able to implement the Platform as effectively as they could because of the lack of resources from Government and the international community.
Globalization has meant the liberalization of markets, which has led to the destruction of local markets. Women’s enterprises on which African communities have depended over time, have become less sustainable. The negotiations of the World Trade Organization have not taken into account the needs of Africa and particularly those of African women.
Some of the proposals of the Bretton Woods institutions have led to policies that deny access to resources for women and consequently to the feminization of poverty in Africa. The requirement to charge user fees for basic social services has led to the denial of these services to most women since they cannot afford the fees.
The HIV/AIDS pandemic is a major disaster for Africa and a huge obstacle to the implementation of the Dakar and Beijing Platforms for Action. It has exacerbated the already vulnerable situation of women’s health, their status, and their ability to access their socio-economic rights.
Recurrent conflicts and outbreak of hostilities in Africa have been one major obstacle to the implementation of the Platforms for Action. It has meant the diversion of resources towards conflicts, has brought development to a stand-still, and has led to untold suffering and serious abuse of women’s rights.
Although the African Platform for Action requires governments to allocate resources for financing the implementation of the Platform for Action, this has not happened. Further, there has been a lack of collaboration and dialogue between governments and NGOs. There have been some limited partnerships, and governments have not systematically consulted with NGOs and civil society on the strategies for implementation of the Platforms for Action.
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Women, Poverty, Food Security and Economic Empowerment
- Engendering of national Budgets to ensure the equitable allocation of resources
- The resolution to of the Council of Ministers to establish the African women’s development Bank
Education, Training, Science and Technology
- Total reform of the educational system to give life skills, functional literacy and to revise the school curriculum to include gender equality, human rights and democracy.
- That not less than 20% percent of every country’s budget be allocated to education, with special attention to the education of women and girls.
Women, Culture, the Family and Socialisation
- African governments should legislate against customary laws and traditional practices that are repugnant to natural justice, and which are incompatible with the objectives of the African and Global Platforms for Action, as well as other international human rights instruments.
- Governments should provide an enabling environment for NGOs that are involved in programmes to sensitise both women and men on the negative effects of discriminatory cultural practices and socialisation processes that are incompatible with the expectations of the Platforms for Action.
Women, Health, Reproductive health, Family Planning and Population
- All African countries are urged to remove user fees for basic health care in order to enhance women’s health.
- The nexus issues of discriminatory laws, cultural practices and religious attitudes and their impact on women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS must be addressed in all countries.
Women, the Environment and Natural Resource Management
- African countries are strongly urged to make financial and human resources available for the involvement of women in environmental and natural resource management.
- Governments should involve women in decision-making on programmes
Women’s Legal and Human Rights
- All governments should harmonise national laws and constitutions in line with regional and international commitments and standards, there should be no inconsistencies. All discriminatory laws and practices against women should be eradicated.
- All six African countries that have not ratified CEDAW should be encouraged to do so by June 2000. Those who have ratified must show evidence of concrete steps towards implementation. All CEDAW reservations should be withdrawn, and the optional protocol to CEDAW should be ratified when it becomes open in December 1999. African countries should also adopt the Additional Protocol on the Rights of Women to the Africa Charter by the year 2001.
Women in Politics and Decision-making
- Increased participation of women in key decision-making positions at national and regional level. Include women’s participation in conflict resolutions at very senior and strategic levels, on peace missions and negotiations.
- All African constitutions should have non-discriminatory clauses, including affirmative action where necessary to enable the representation of women, people with special needs and the youth. Affirmative action quotas should be raised to 50%, to reflect the true situation in our continent.
Women and Peace
- African countries are urged to promote a culture of peace through education, awareness raising, dealing with diversity and teaching cultural and religious tolerance.
- NGOs should be supported through adequate resources (human, financial and technical) in order to work on early warning mechanisms and post-conflict reconstruction processes.
- All African countries are urged to endorse the West African moratorium to stop the manufacture, importation and usage of small arms in order to facilitate the promotion of a culture of peace. African countries should make the issue of landmines a priority, and programs for the clearance of landmines in the affected areas, plus care and rehabilitation of the victims needs to be supported.
Mainstreaming Gender Disaggregated data
- There is a need to continue the implementation of gender sensitization programmes at all levels to include new gender concepts and methods of data analysis. In this connection, government officials should be particularly targeted for gender sensitivity programmes.
- NGOs must include in their action plans, programmes and activities that build their capacities to collect and analyse data using gender analysis tools. Therefore, as a matter of priority, adequate resources should be provided to support the capacity building initiatives of NGOs to collect and use their own data for planning purposes.
Women, Information, Communication and Arts
- Governments and NGOs should utilise both traditional media and the new communication technologies for wider dissemination of information for the empowerment of women.
- Governments are urged to free the airwaves to facilitate the setting up of independent broadcasting stations that can be used for programmes of particular interest to women.
The Girl Child
- All African Governments who have not done so, should ratify the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and to implement it in conjunction with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- All states should legislate and put in place effective mechanisms for a minimum age of 18 for marriage, which is in line with the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child
Institutional Mechanisms
- All African governments that have not done so should institute national machineries for the advancement of women through constitutional and legislative provisions for a strong mandate that enables them to have power, resources and legitimacy.
- International agreements should be translated into national policy frameworks so that institutional mechanisms are strengthened to improve women’s conditions.
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