Why Empowering African Females is Critical
Throughout history and across the globe, females have played a crucial role in the development of society. It's for this reason that empowering African women is so critical. Many cultures equalize their sexes, but many African countries still struggle in this regard. These societies have culturally accepted practices that restrict the freedoms of one another based on sex. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, it's up to our generation to ensure this inequality ends, with women being seen as equals and not as the lesser sex.
Female selling items in Uganda @Amina Mohamed Photography
The role of African females in society
The question of the role of women in society is one that philosophers and sociologists have pondered for centuries. Western feminism has been described as a movement to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and oppression by way of equal rights for men and women and their equal participation in social, economic, and political life. African feminism, on the other hand, is a movement which seeks to end sexism, sexist exploitation, and patriarchal domination, but where women's empowerment programs in Africa are centred on the needs of an African woman specifically. In this sense, it differs from Western feminism in that it starts with acknowledging an African woman's experience before moving on to how to remedy that experience.
The need for female empowerment in Africa
Emotional, physical and economic violence experienced by women and girls negatively impacts women's empowerment programs in Africa. Solutions include extending female knowledge through education opportunities, increased representation in politics and business, and building up successful models of female-owned small businesses. Governments should commit to a measurable implementation plan which includes funding, coordination, availability of service providers with needed expertise, and an awareness-raising campaign to support victims' right to be free from such acts.
The benefits of female empowerment
Female empowerment in Africa is critical for the following reasons:
-In African culture, women are often the caretakers and protectors of the family. They provide care and protection to their own families and are also responsible for caring for extended families.
-African feminism has struggled with women also being mothers because women are responsible for caring for their children and other people's children in their communities. It is essential to consider how female empowerment will impact these obligations.
-Women who have access to education and employment opportunities are more likely to be able to provide for themselves and their families than those who do not. Female empowerment, therefore, impacts economic stability in these communities.
The future of female empowerment in Africa
Empowerment work in Africa could make a massive difference in the lives of many women, especially those living in poverty. Because of the continent's young age and lack of economic stability, empowering females can create more opportunities for themselves and future generations. Studies show that women with leadership roles are more likely to care about other people's needs and take personal responsibility for their actions.
This is why the programs we offer at Cameras For Girls are so important - they empower girls through knowledge and education so they can have a brighter future, using photography as our way to make a difference.
Through Cameras For Girls, we provide cameras to keep and a year-long curriculum based on beginner to advanced photography skills plus relevant business skills to help females in Africa get paid work as journalists in a typically male-dominated space.
To date, we have taught 47 girls in Uganda, 10 in South Africa and over 85 women in our online program. 65% of these females now have paid work as journalists and photographers, and some work in communications-related jobs.
The challenges faced by African females
African women are significantly more likely to suffer from poverty, disease and hunger. They also face other challenges, including domestic violence and sexual assault. For example, one in three women in Uganda will be raped during their lifetime. These injustices are rooted in deep-seated social norms that devalue women and girls.
African feminism seeks to challenge these norms by empowering African women economically, politically and socially to thrive despite these obstacles. Women's empowerment programs across Africa have been successful for many reasons. For a start, the programs usually fund women entrepreneurs to start a business, giving them a chance to be their own bosses. Second, they provide educational opportunities for girls in countries where educating females is against society's norms. Third, women can access loans or microfinance opportunities, which helps them provide for themselves and their families while improving their entrepreneurial knowledge.