Preliminary assessement report : women's poverty, insufficient food security and lack of economic empowerment

Abstract

This report evaluates the mid-decade progress of implementing the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) in Africa, focusing on women’s poverty and economic empowerment. Despite commitments by African governments and international organizations, poverty remains widespread, disproportionately affecting women due to structural inequalities. Women face limited access to resources, education, credit, and formal employment, with most engaged in informal and agricultural sectors. While some progress has been made—such as gender-sensitive policies, microcredit programs, and institutional mechanisms—systemic challenges persist, including inadequate funding, weak monitoring, and slow economic growth. The report highlights the need for stronger gender mainstreaming, equitable resource allocation, and enhanced data collection to address the feminization of poverty. Recommendations include improving women’s access to productive assets, harmonizing work-family responsibilities, and leveraging technology for economic inclusion.