Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and the Empowerment of Women in Africa

Abstract

Abstract This paper examines the predicament of prejudice that women face in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It explores the social and economic factors that militate against the integration of women into senior administrative and political leadership positions in the continent. It contends that if women are under represented in Africa because of open or indirect mechanism of exclusion and discrimination, then educating women and girls is not enough. Equity for women and girls will only change if the public and private sectors’ institutions are galvanized to change simultaneously. Further it stresses that the public, private sectors and NGOs in Africa need to introduce diversity management programs as a policy at the national and regional government levels in order to engage talented women in its process of seeking sustainable development. The paper also argues that in offering women the opportunity to access economic resources as well as to disentangle their identities from those of their families they will contribute immensely in the sustainable development process of Africa. It contends that no development process will be totally beneficial to a nation if it does not involve women. The concluding section recommended some policies that would effectively reduce discrimination against women in the public service as well as stimulate and integrate talented women interests in the social, economic, leadership, and political development of Africa.