The Role of Women in Driving Africa’s Post-Pandemic Economic Growth

By Mary Alorh

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, African nations are striving to achieve robust economic recovery and growth. Despite a collective gross domestic product (GDP) of US$1.3 trillion in 2022, women contributed a mere 10 percent to this figure.

For Africa to realize its full potential, inclusive participation from all demographic groups, particularly women and girls, is essential.

Last week, the international community observed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25th. This day also marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism campaign, an annual initiative aimed at uniting global efforts to eliminate gender-based violence.

However, translating the success of these advocacy campaigns into tangible outcomes remains challenging, especially amid ongoing conflicts across the continent. Reports from Sudan’s prolonged crisis, for example, reveal that women and girls face widespread violence and exploitation.

In addition, rising poverty levels continue to exacerbate their vulnerability in conflict-ridden and fragile environments.

The Education Crisis and Its Implications

One of the most alarming issues is the increasing dropout rate of girls from schools, which poses a significant threat to their economic empowerment and potential contributions to national development. Renowned Ghanaian educationist and pan-Africanist James Kwegyir Aggrey famously stated, “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman, you educate a nation.”

Unfortunately, financial hardships often force families to marry off their daughters at an early age. These child marriages not only violate the rights of young girls but also severely curtail their access to education and economic opportunities.

Early pregnancies resulting from these marriages frequently mark the end of formal education for these girls, condemning them to a cycle of economic dependence and poverty.

The Economic Imperative for Gender Inclusion

Investing in the education of women and girls is crucial for the socio-economic development of any country. Evidence suggests that enhancing the productivity and economic participation of women can significantly boost GDP growth.

Yet, millions of girls across Africa are denied this opportunity due to systemic barriers, including early marriages and gender-based violence.

Africa is home to 8 of the 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage globally, including Chad, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. In these countries, a girl is married off every 30 seconds.

While nations like Sierra Leone have made strides by banning child marriages, escalating conflicts in regions such as Mozambique have reversed progress, leading to a resurgence in child marriages.

Call to Action

The worsening insecurity, ongoing conflicts, and rising poverty across the continent threaten to erode the progress made in gender equality and women’s empowerment. Addressing this crisis requires a unified and sustained effort from governments, civil society, and international organizations to combat child marriages and gender-based violence.

Education remains the cornerstone of sustainable development and the empowerment of women and girls. By prioritizing policies that promote access to education and safeguard the rights of young girls, Africa can unlock its untapped economic potential, ensuring a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.

Mary Alorh is Director of Administration at DefSEC Analytics Africa Ltd., and is an expert in Gender, Youth, and Peace & Security initiatives in West Africa.