Africa’s women must have economic power

South Africa will this week advocate for Africa to have permanent representation on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

This will be among a broad range of issues thrust into the spotlight when President Cyril Ramaphosa participates in this week’s UN General Assembly.

Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said while the UN was leading efforts to ensure the world that emerges from Covid-19 was better, fairer and more peaceful, the organisation has also enabled countries to focus on the work that needed to be done.

This was not only to rebuild economies, but to do so in a manner that advanced the achievement of sustainable development goals. “The UN has played a vital role in supporting cooperation among countries and international organisations, like the World Health Organisation, as they have worked to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic.

“It has focused attention on the most vulnerable countries and those parts of society most badly affected by the pandemic,” Ramaphosa said yesterday.

To resolve global challenges countries must work together. “It is only through multilateralism that we can forge common strategies for the benefit of all. We, therefore, need to strengthen bodies like the UN and ensure they are properly resourced and representative.

“We must use this anniversary to push ahead with the reform of the UN, particularly its Security Council, which does not give equal voice to the different regions of the world.”

South Africa, he said, recognised that global peace was not just about a world free of conflict. “It is a world of inclusive economic growth and shared prosperity. By providing all the world’s people with the means to live secure and productive lives, we are laying the best foundation for peace and stability.

“One of the greatest challenges to the achievement of this goal is the continued exclusion of half of the world’s population through discrimination and marginalisation.”

This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Conference on Women, which placed women’s emancipation on the global agenda. It was an opportunity to clearly outline the actions to be taken now to ensure women are equals in all societies.

In Africa, “we must intensify measures to empower women economically”.

“This is in line with the African Union decision to dedicate this decade to the financial inclusion of women. We, therefore, welcome the opportunity later this week to take part in a panel of G7 and African countries on women’s digital financial inclusion in Africa.

“Our message is that unless women are brought into the mainstream of the economy, they will continue to bear the brunt of exclusion and be vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

“Our message is that a world that empowers women is a prosperous and sustainable world.” – SAnews.gov.za