Gender disparities in economic participation are deeply rooted in social norms that dictate traditional roles for men and women. Across sub-Saharan Africa, these norms often restrict women’s access to education, asset ownership, and leadership positions, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
The Role of Norms in Economic Exclusion
Studies by the World Bank reveal that discriminatory norms contribute to:
- Occupational segregation: Women dominate informal and care-based sectors, which offer lower wages and fewer benefits.
- Limited mobility: Cultural expectations often restrict women’s ability to travel for work or education.
- Barriers to finance: Only 37% of women in Africa have access to formal banking services (AFDB, 2021), partly due to patriarchal control over resources.
ICRW Africa’s Norm-Shifting Interventions
ICRW Africa employs a multi-pronged approach to address these barriers:
- Community Engagement: Partnering with local leaders to challenge stereotypes through dialogues and education campaigns.
- Policy Advocacy: Supporting legislation that promotes equal pay, parental leave, and women’s land rights.
- Research and Metrics: Developing tools to measure norm change and evaluate program effectiveness.
Case Study: The Behind the Scenes Initiative
This multi-country program tackles gender barriers in Africa’s creative industries by providing young women with training, mentorship, and advocacy platforms. Early results show a 30% increase in female participation in technical roles across participating countries.
Transforming entrenched norms requires sustained, collaborative efforts. By addressing the root causes of economic inequality, Africa can harness the full potential of its female workforce
