Unequal access for women exists despite advances in policies and legislations ECA

Abstract

Key findings emerging from a report by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) entitled: Status of Gender Inequality in Social and Economic, and Political Sectors: Implications for the implementation and monitoring of relevant international and regional commitments and social protection” were presented at the 7th Session of the Committee on Women and Development. The report shows that women still have unequal access to social opportunities such as education, health care, water and sanitation; and in economic opportunities such as employment, and productive resources. The objective of the report, was to empirically identify the status of gender inequality in the social, economic and political sectors in 8 selected countries (Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania Uganda and Zambia). The study aims provides an overview of the state of social protection mechanisms in Africa. It also outlines the progress that has been made to address these inequalities as well as the implications and recommendations for monitoring the gender equality instruments.