WILL AFRICA REAP THE DEMOGRAPHIC DIVIDEND?
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| Ms Eunice Musiime- Executive Director AMwA |
There is growing
optimism that Africa is rising, partly hinged on the demographic transition
that a number of countries are experiencing. However experts warn that Africa
must take concrete actions in order to reap the demographic dividend. The
President of Ghana, Mr John Mahama expressed urgent need for Africa to do more
for the youth if they are going to participate more actively in economic
development. He said this while delivering an opening speech at the 7th
Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights which was held under the theme “Realizing the demographic dividend in
Africa: The critical importance of Adolescents and Youth Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights” held in Accra Ghana, from the 10th-12th
of February, 2016.
The conference
was organized by Curious Minds under the patronage of the First Lady of the
Republic of Ghana and the President of the African First Ladies Against
HIV&AIDS, Dr Nana Mahama. The conference attracted over 600 delegates including
12 African first ladies, ministers, senior officers of United Nations Agencies,
technocrats, parliamentarians, civil society, traditional institutions, youth
activists and development partners.
Dr Babatunde Osetimehin
the Executive Director of the United Nations Populations Fund who delivered the
key note address reinforced the importance of investing in the health of the
people, particularly women and girls in the areas of their sexual and
reproductive health, their capacities in the expansion of their opportunities
to realize their full potential and to achieve sustainable development.
At a pre conference meeting of African
Centers for Excellence (ACE) partners collectively reflected on how Africa can
reap the demographic dividend and identified concrete strategic and operational
actions that can be taken by Africa. ACE
Director Saba Gebremedhin summarized the outcomes needed to achieve the
demographic dividend as: the need to invest in quality education, ensure reduction
of fertility rates especially strengthening family planning, and champion inclusive
development.
Tsigie Haile the Executive
Director of Women in Self Employment in Ethiopia said macroeconomic policies
including monetary and fiscal policies to promote a saving culture and micro insurance
schemes were needed to prepare Africa for old age. She shared the experience of
her organization where a micro insurance scheme was adopted for the poor women
to buttress them when they are no longer in position to work.
Commenting on
the theme of the conference, the Executive Director of Young Women’s Leadership
Institute, Ms Esther Kimani said that Comprehensive Sexuality Education for
adolescents and youth was the missing link to help address teenage pregnancy.
She underscored the fact that Comprehensive Sex Education helps young women to
make the right choices and avoid mistakes leading to girls delaying their first
sexual debut, retention in school and reduction of fertility rates.
Ms Mary
Balikungeri the Executive Director of Rwanda Women’s Network, an organization
championing gender equality, proposed that it is critical to promote safe
spaces for young women and adolescents to provide a secure and healthy
environment to prevent gender based violence and respect for reproductive
health rights.
The conference
ended on a high note with the first Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama launching the
Ending Child Marriage Campaign Ghana. In her address, the First Lady, stated
that ending child marriage on the continent was critical to realization of the
Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality and poverty. She urged African
Heads of State to enforce legislation they passed on the marriageable age for
girls at 18, in their respective countries.
By- Eunice Musiime-
Executive Director -Akina Mama wa Afrika
AKina Mama wa Afrika (AMwA) is one of the four partner institutes of the African Centers of Excellence (ACE) for Women's Leadership program run by the Institute of International Education (IIE) , Sub Saharan Africa- Ethiopia Office.
For more on IIE , ACE or AMwA please follow the links below.
www.iie.org/
www.iie.org/en/Programs/ACE-for-Womens-Leadership,
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