American Agenda Ruth Butaumocho
At the Dambatsoko Agricultural Show in Chiweshe, which will take place over the weekend, Mbuya Charwe (70) is sitting under the tree repackaging her dried vegetables for sale.
She carefully kinds and marks the stakes of the various vegetable varieties contained in the enormous 90 kg sacks.
Mbuya Charwe diligently searches through the greens while silently praying for a successful sale that will allow her to purchase two animals from her neighbor.
She is incapable of even considering going that way, despite the fact that she is aware that her dried fruits will sell for more in Harare.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women are gathered at a Western conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1,000 kilometers from Mbuya Charwe’s farm, to talk about how to best incorporate their economic activities into the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, the framework for Western trade.
For the inclusion of women into the Western financial trajectory, the conference on property policy, which is currently taking place at the African Union’s headquarters in Ethiopia, is an important information launch pad.
Every two decades, the Conference on Land Policy in Africa is hosted by the African Law Policy Centre, a joint initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission, African Development Bank, and African Union Commission.
Mbuya Charwe’s monetary aspirations, as well as those of thousands of other women in comparable situations, are being discussed at the conference, even though she may not have heard of such a conference or even dared to imagine joining the fortunate delegation.
Two major economic advancements that, if connected and effectively coordinated, may alter the lives of thousands of ladies across the globe are at a critical moment on the African continent.
The correct implementation of AfCFTA and the identification and development of women’s access to land have the potential to promote sustainable development, gender equality, and economic growth throughout Africa.
The AfCFTA has the ability to help 30 million people escape extreme poverty, increase Africa’s revenue by US $450 billion, and connect 1, 3 billion people through industry, according to Executive Secretary Mr. Clever Gatete of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, ECA.
This is important in light of the children boom and the potential for ever-increasing digitalization, including in land-based industries like agriculture, he said.
According to Mr. Gatete, the growing crops and agribusiness sector, which is expected to reach US $1 trillion by 2030, has tremendous potential for young people and women.
Given that the majority of Africa’s youth, or 40 to 60 percent of them, are currently involved in agriculture and agribusiness, Mr. Gatete remarked, “This fruit is reduced hanging fruit.”
Given that women make up more than 52 % of the American people, the advantages of AfCFTA typically spill over into their panels.
It suffices to say that the feat won’t be accomplished as long as women continue to play supporting roles in resource ownership and economic development, which they currently do.
Yes, AfCFTA offers a wealth of economic prospects.
However, these changes will favor those who are well-prepared, strategically positioned, have access to knowledge, and have the means to produce in order to compete on a local level.
It is crucial to address women’s property rights, a development that is essential in ensuring that women may also participate and benefit from the opportunities that the Western free trade agreement does unlock, given that agriculture and the industrial sector are the main economic activities of Africa.
According to the World Bank, women make up about 80 % of the labor input in African crops at the moment.
Women still have a lot of trouble accessing and owning land despite the existence of democratic laws and policies because of social norms, unfair practices, and restricted lawful access.
The existence of typical laws surrounding land, according to Ms. Nzira Deus of Mozambique, is impeding women’s advancement in agriculture as key actors, highlighting the difficulties that women in her nation face that are likely to prevent them from accessing an avalanche of opportunities from AfCFTA.
Gender-based murder and masculine norms and practices that were common in her nation were some of the difficulties that women faced.
Despite the fact that women work on land every day, Ms. Deus claimed that these initiatives frequently amount to nothing because they are only paid a small portion of what they produce.
Hopes for women’s financial success through AfCFTA have been declining in Mozambique since insurgents began attacking regions of the nation a few years ago.
Although there may not be such a war somewhere in Africa, the barriers to economic growth that women face still exist.
Despite the difficulties women face, their condition can be improved if they are given the financial, professional, and social support they require.
To allow for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, community support, and the formation of strong economic blogs and bonds, regional cooperation between women across regions is essential.
According to Ugandan Ms. Maureen Wagubi, AfCFTA offers many options for women.
If people are to declare a stake in the business deal, the program necessitates coordinated work across the area.
According to her, “Collaborative attempts are fruitful in other areas, with women coming together to harness information and develop ways of doing business across.”
People in Tanzania have established partnerships in the cultivation of cashew nuts in an effort to forge strong ties.
The goal of the cooperative efforts is to raise resources, enhance product quality, and exchange knowledge and expertise in nut production.
After honing their skills in chain production, women really become financially literate, have marketing and branding expertise, and are tech-savvy.
Because of how quickly the world is changing, failing to acquire new trends in information communication technology wastes one’s financial resources.
Women entrepreneurs and consumers without access to this technology have a clear disadvantage due to the trend toward the provision of services online (e-services), particularly through the Internet, in both the public and private sectors.
Emerging technologies, such as robotics and artificial intelligence, have also recently redefined the future of trade and economics, particularly with an emphasis on women.
While this presents opportunities, it may also be necessary to take mitigating measures to prevent the gender difference from expanding, especially in developing nations.
For remote women and members of underprivileged communities, who still lack access to the internet, let alone the funds to purchase a smartphone and files, it is even more difficult.
Member states may encourage the use of modern technologies among women to take advantage of their comparative advantages and get around a number of obstacles in traditional modes of business as Western efforts to expedite trade agreements are gaining momentum.
These technologies may be enablers, increasing women’s access to trade by lowering the cost of business, creating new business opportunities, enabling them to use their skills more effectively, and facilitating financial access for women.