Women across the globe have been fighting for equality for women for over 300 years. In some areas of the world, women have achieved equal rights when it comes to social status, voting rights and protection under the law. In these areas, the battles are now around equal pay and equal opportunities. In Africa, the rights of women vary city by city, country by country and of course region by region.
In some areas of Africa, women are still not equal in the eyes of the law. One common issue in Africa, is that women will have fewer, sometimes no, rights to inheritance. That is why equality for women is so important. We need change.
In most cases, there is still a large separation in the civil issues. Men are the heads of households with all decision rights and will go out and work, leaving the women to handle the work in the household, raising the family and even tending the fields. A major difference is the type of housework that women in Africa must perform compared to their equivalents in Western society. Housework will include tending the crops, fetching water and gathering items like firewood. In the west, woman will look after their children, but in Africa the family dynamic is different, and women will need to look after their children and their elderly family members including those who with disabilities. With the lack of support services, the care of others can take up large amounts of a woman’s time.
UNICEF has identified one of the key factors as to how we can help to bring about change in the region – empowering women through education. This is a vital issue, as even though governments try and provide equal education to both boys and girls, the drop-out rate among girls is much higher. The reason for the drop-out rate being higher and the enrollment rate being much lower are:
- Poor families will focus the resources for school on one child and will favor the male children over the female children
- The stigma and expectation that women should focus on efforts at home
- The rate of marriage among young women, and even children, is very high thus removing these young women from the education system
Together we can change this. By providing girls with a comprehensive education, we can help the entire country develop. Statistics show that the entire productivity of a society will increase when women are given the tools to learn and be involved with shaping the country.
You can help today by supporting artisans from the region through UNICEF Market.
UNICEF Market is an online store for unique, well-designed and beautifully crafted items. A share of the proceeds from sales goes to the artisans represented, many of whom live in rural areas and rely on e-commerce to bring their crafts to an international market. A portion of the proceeds is also designated for UNICEF programs. Shop our unique collection of items from around the world, and you’ll find great gifts ranging from handcrafted jewelry and home décor to apparel and accessories. Not only can you find timeless and well-designed items, but every purchase helps.
This makes the market a unique opportunity for UNICEF supporters to buy beautiful, handcrafted gifts, that help UNICEF perform good works across the globe.
