Empowerment of women and sustainable development.

Abstract This chapter examines the nature of women empowerment programmes and their right to engage in capacity building and economic growth initiatives in Africa. Data derived from primary and secondary sources are used to analyse the factors that negatively affect women's ability to develop their capacity as well as fully participate in the sustainable development process just like their male counterparts. The chapter argues that equality of women, girls, men and boys is the only panacea to the attainment of sustainable economic growth in the African continent. Gender equality among all citizens will only take place if the public and private sectors' institutions are galvanized to collaborate and promote gender equity policies.