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The Secretary-General statement to the conference on african women and economic development
Abstract
This speech, delivered at the 40th Anniversary Conference of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa (1998), highlights the critical role of African women in economic development and peacebuilding. While acknowledging Africa's economic progress and renewed hope, the speaker warns that conflicts and gender inequality threaten its renaissance. African women disproportionately suffer from violence, discrimination, and exclusion from decision-making, yet they remain key drivers of resilience and development. The speech calls for global and local action to uphold women's rights, citing international frameworks like the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Emphasizing that women’s empowerment is essential for Africa’s future, it urges governments, men, and the international community to collaborate in achieving gender equity and sustainable development.