Factors Militating Against Women Economic Empowerment And Poverty Reduction In African Countries

Abstract

Developing countries are constrained with the challenges of poverty and economic empowerment to reduce the level poverty especially among the women population. Women consist more than 60% of the African population which has caused more concern to the economy in the continent. International communities like World Bank, USAID, DFID, IMF, government and others individuals and private organizations have made several efforts in assisting women economically, but yet level of poverty has been in the increase. As the year 2015 draws closer, there is high expectation on the objectives of the MDGs. Unfortunately, studies reveal that female potential labor force is still high in Africa and most of the poor are women. Women consist more than 60% of the African population which has caused more concern to the economy of the continent. This paper examined two issues (i) some of the factors that hinder women from attaining economic empowerment. (ii) Other factors that increases the level of poverty of women despite the fact that several efforts are been made to empower women economically. This paper relied on content analysis of existing literature as source of data, in order to uncover some of the reasons responsible for low participation of women in economic activities. It also recommends possible ways to ameliorate the situation for policy implication.