UNICEF has said that two-thirds of
world’s illiterates are women many of who are living in rural areas
where they spend more time on household work and bringing up families.
world’s illiterates are women many of who are living in rural areas
where they spend more time on household work and bringing up families.
The women, according to UNICEF tend to spend their waking hours collecting water, fuel, caring for children and processing food.
“This life of virtual servitude is
perpetuated by poor rural infrastructure and systemic patriarchy which
hinders the development and participation of women in the economic
sphere0’’.
perpetuated by poor rural infrastructure and systemic patriarchy which
hinders the development and participation of women in the economic
sphere0’’.
According to Statistics, South Africa men
are more likely than women to be engaged in economic activities, while
women are more likely to be engaged only in non-economic activities.
are more likely than women to be engaged in economic activities, while
women are more likely to be engaged only in non-economic activities.
Women are thus more probable than men to be doing unpaid economic work, such as subsistence agriculture.
Gender inequality is one of the major causes of poverty and hunger.
Quoting the World Food Programme, UNICEF said that estimates that 60% of chronically hungry people are women and girls.
On average, women make up about 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries, including South Africa.
Research has shown women could increase
yields on their farms by 20 to 30%, raising total agricultural output by
2.5 to 4%, if they had access to the same productive resources as men.
yields on their farms by 20 to 30%, raising total agricultural output by
2.5 to 4%, if they had access to the same productive resources as men.
To correct this, women need to be trained in income generating opportunities to improve their lives.
Whilst most rural women are involved in
farming, they still need to be formally educated on how to increase
agricultural productivity and entrepreneurship skills.
farming, they still need to be formally educated on how to increase
agricultural productivity and entrepreneurship skills.
This would not only produce healthy crops, but create successful, sustainable businesses as well.
Teaching women the importance of education, family welfare and nutritional eating habits will drastically change their lives.
Access to educational opportunities
However, the reality is that women in
rural areas do not have equal access to educational opportunities in
comparison to their male counterparts. Illiteracy levels amongst women
are high as they are forced to leave school at an
early age to marry and look after their families. A study by UNICEF
shows that women in sub-Saharan Africa collectively spend about 40
billion hours a year collecting water. Furthermore, a lack of access to
education for women is one of the most significant
barriers that hinder enhancing skills that will allow them economic
freedom.
rural areas do not have equal access to educational opportunities in
comparison to their male counterparts. Illiteracy levels amongst women
are high as they are forced to leave school at an
early age to marry and look after their families. A study by UNICEF
shows that women in sub-Saharan Africa collectively spend about 40
billion hours a year collecting water. Furthermore, a lack of access to
education for women is one of the most significant
barriers that hinder enhancing skills that will allow them economic
freedom.
Being able to attain educational and
economic participation in society are the essential elements to ensuring
the empowerment of women.
economic participation in society are the essential elements to ensuring
the empowerment of women.
With education being a fundamental human
right, the government has a huge responsibility to ensure that money and
effort is invested into rural areas to uplift and change lives. The
digital revolution is slow in reaching rural
areas. The divide between technology in rural and urban areas is still
too wide. The government must scale up technology in rural areas to
change the lives of women. Having access to technology, women could then
gain access to training, financial and banking
applications, as well as easier access to communication and social
media. Technology can make a significant contribution to allowing rural
women to overcome obstacles and unlock opportunities that will enable
them to access and communicate with the rest of
the world.
right, the government has a huge responsibility to ensure that money and
effort is invested into rural areas to uplift and change lives. The
digital revolution is slow in reaching rural
areas. The divide between technology in rural and urban areas is still
too wide. The government must scale up technology in rural areas to
change the lives of women. Having access to technology, women could then
gain access to training, financial and banking
applications, as well as easier access to communication and social
media. Technology can make a significant contribution to allowing rural
women to overcome obstacles and unlock opportunities that will enable
them to access and communicate with the rest of
the world.
Programmes for self-sustainability
Both private and public society can
assist. By creating awareness programmes, corporate social
responsibility initiatives could prioritise women that need sponsorship
and training to become self-sustainable. We need to understand
the challenges they endure and provide them with the tools that will
enable them to acquire knowledge to change their lives. It is our
collective responsibility to ensure that women gain access to
well-paying jobs. UNICEF’s research indicates that when more
income is placed into the hands of women, child nutrition, health and
education all improve. We need to create an environment which enhances
their ability to influence positive change and steer their lives towards
building a better society.
assist. By creating awareness programmes, corporate social
responsibility initiatives could prioritise women that need sponsorship
and training to become self-sustainable. We need to understand
the challenges they endure and provide them with the tools that will
enable them to acquire knowledge to change their lives. It is our
collective responsibility to ensure that women gain access to
well-paying jobs. UNICEF’s research indicates that when more
income is placed into the hands of women, child nutrition, health and
education all improve. We need to create an environment which enhances
their ability to influence positive change and steer their lives towards
building a better society.
Women have a significant role to play in
alleviating poverty and providing stability for their children. To turn
the tide of poverty, these women need to be empowered. Educating them
from a young age will empower and arm them
with the ability to transform their lives economically as well as
socially. Every additional year of primary school increases girls’
eventual wages by 10-20%. It also encourages them to marry later and
have fewer children and leaves them less vulnerable to
violence.
alleviating poverty and providing stability for their children. To turn
the tide of poverty, these women need to be empowered. Educating them
from a young age will empower and arm them
with the ability to transform their lives economically as well as
socially. Every additional year of primary school increases girls’
eventual wages by 10-20%. It also encourages them to marry later and
have fewer children and leaves them less vulnerable to
violence.
Over the past 13 years, SAIL has trained
thousands of women – many of whom are from rural areas and working in
municipalities and within communities across the country. We have
upskilled and empowered them to move into higher
positions within their workplace. Today these women are making their
presence felt in their respective industries and are growing the number
of women in positions of power. By offering training, education,
resources and opening up opportunities for women,
we can ensure they are able to live fulfilling lives, positively
impacting on their families as well.
thousands of women – many of whom are from rural areas and working in
municipalities and within communities across the country. We have
upskilled and empowered them to move into higher
positions within their workplace. Today these women are making their
presence felt in their respective industries and are growing the number
of women in positions of power. By offering training, education,
resources and opening up opportunities for women,
we can ensure they are able to live fulfilling lives, positively
impacting on their families as well.
