Production of the African gender and development index and the African women's report 2002/2004 : project proposal

Abstract

Twenty-five years after Mexico and eight years after Beijing, it is obvious that the overall goal of the global process for "Development, Gender Equality and Peace" has not yet been achieved. Poverty is on the rise and so is the feminisation of poverty. Women constitute 70% of the world's poor, especially in Africa. Maternal mortality rate figures are increasing in Africa due to poor access to proper health care, poor life conditions and the burden of a heavy workload. Domestic and gender-based violence against women is also on the rise especially in those countries under conflict situations. Gender disparities in basic rights, resources and economic opportunities are persistent around the world - in spite of recent gains. In the wake of Beijing +5 and the imminent Beijing +10, the international community including national governments and civil society organizations are weighing the effectiveness and sustainable impact of women's global and regional forums against their costs and frequency.