1. A Rode Ibru feature on Educating women in Africa
It is of no surprise to many gender equality champions such as Rode Ibru that the plight of women
and children in Africa has been a contentious issue within the African continent itself. With many
different cultures that continue to take away the voices and rights of women and children, it has
been an uphill struggle for many outside influences such as NGOs and other charitable organisations,
along with the United Nations and the World Health Organisation leading the progress in 2013 and
beyond.
The emergence of notable organisations in leading the way when it comes to sexual health and
education amongst women has been part of a collective effort to empower women. With many
studies showing that the empowerment of women through both education alongside the rights to
vote and work and gain gender equality have successfully changed the lives of families for the
better. Rode Ibru, who consider gender equality and rights to be a subject of great passion,
understands the new figures released by the UN show a continued lack of fair education for women
and girls in sub-Saharan Africa.
With many charities working with governments of African nations aiming to improve both the
longevity and quality of education through the African continent, this immense undertaking has
taken decades to bring to the table and will take decades more to properly bring to fruition. Not only
have great strides been taken in changing the culture of gender inequality in certain nations, the
continued work and continued success has meant many thousands of women, children,
impoverished and those effected by famine, war and HIV, have been able to achieve a better
standard of living.
Whilst there are great strides yet to be accomplished, the achievements already made in attempting
to change the culture of gender inequality, as well as raise the level of educations for millions of
women and children, has sown the seeds of change, empowering communities to achieve further
success themselves, by sustaining community projects to further boost the rapid growth and change
in the many socioeconomic groups that have emerged.
With gender equality supporters like Rode Ibru and the WHO (World Health Organisation) figures
showing that the lack of education amongst young girls is lower than boys, the attempt to make
strides in the cultural change that needs to take place in societies where women are looked down on
as the care giver, the cook and someone who stays at home rather than the breadwinner in the
family. This juxtaposition of roles is a great challenge to the many NOGs currently working in African
nations to help educate women and bring them out of the home and into a role of self-sufficiency
that will empower families to achieve a higher standard of living, an issue that Rode Ibru and many
supporters of gender equality will applaud.
