In much of Africa, feminism is often perceived as an anathema. Patriarchy continues to dominate social, political, and economic structures, relegating women and keeping gender-related issues away from mainstream policy. This entrenched stance has restricted women’s roles and opportunities, despite decades of struggle and activism. Since the late 1980s, however, global human rights campaigns have increasingly brought women’s concerns to the fore. Today, women development refers to deliberate efforts to empower women—not only to shape their own destinies but also to actively participate in societal transformation.
Development and the Gender: Question Development is a multifaceted concept, encompassing welfare, stability, and growth. With women making up more than half of the world’s population, no development strategy can be considered complete without addressing gender disparities. Despite this, women in many developing countries remain structurally disadvantaged in education, health, employment, and political participation. The Beijing Conference of 1995 emphasized women’s inclusion as indispensable. This is particularly vital in areas such as peace and security: women are rarely perpetrators of violence but are disproportionately its victims—whether in armed conflict or domestic abuse. Research further shows that excluding women weakens family stability, increases poverty, and produces intergenerational disadvantages, both social and psychological.
Policy Gaps and Local Challenges: In countries like Nigeria, women face deeper vulnerabilities due to weak social security systems. Political and budgetary decisions—dominated by men— rarely prioritize women’s welfare. Education emerges as the most critical tool for empowerment. It enables women to make informed choices about family planning, participate in economic life, and engage politically. Without access to education, women remain disadvantaged in employment and leadership opportunities. The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reinforce this global agenda, making gender equality central to sustainable progress. Yet, in many African societies, entrenched cultural norms continue to make women’s empowerment an uphill task.
Voices of Advocacy: Among the prominent champions of women’s rights is Marianne Racine Sow, a Senegalese activist who since 1989 has campaigned against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and promoted women’s sexual and social rights. Sow stresses the importance of involving men in dismantling harmful traditions. She argues that empowerment must extend beyond women themselves to engage entire communities in redefining gender roles. Her advocacy highlights training, public engagement, and dialogue platforms where women can voice their needs and aspirations. By framing empowerment as a collective process, Sow demonstrates that sustainable change depends on community-wide participation rather than isolated female advancement.
Conclusion: Women development is not a marginal concern—it is central to modern transformation. Empowered women drive family stability, economic growth, and peacebuilding. Excluding them from development processes risks instability and stagnation. To mainstream women’s empowerment is not merely a moral imperative; it is a practical foundation for sustainable progress. An empowered woman provides the fulcrum for a stable society, becoming both the driver of peace and the engine of development.
