PAPER The Drum Beat - 24 - Ohio University - Women's Empowerment - Africa
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| The Drum Beat - 24 - Ohio University - Women's Empowerment - Africa Additional Information and Commentary - Please contact the student identified for a full copy of their paper. By Wenceslous Kaswoswe International Student of Ohio University July 1999 wk349291@oak.cats.ohiou.edu 12. Reconsidering Development In Africa: Some Reflections On The Role Of Communication For Women Empowerment. ABSTRACT Development is a gradual, complex but interconnected process and when in motion, can be characterized by both horizontal and vertical progress. Horizontal progress in terms of creating a just and equitable society where the key agents of social change, men and women are empowered to enhance social change for the betterment of human life. Vertical progress in terms of economic growth to enhance the material well being of human society. However, in Africa, the relationship between men and women is characterized by power and dis-power and this power imbalance has negative effects for Africa's development. Dispowerment of women militates against women's dignity, autonomy, self-reliance and above all self-actualization. This has been worsened by the fact that the models of development which have been prescribed as Africa's panacea did not consider the need to create a just and equitable society hence their emphasis on economic growth. These models have failed completely hence the need for another dimension in the continent's development struggle. It is within this background that I have argued for the need to adopt a holistic alternative model of development, which caters for the empowerment of women. Gender imbalance is proving to be a hindrance to development projects and this is due to conservative religious and cultural barriers. To achieve this goal of women empowerment, through access to health care, education and technology, there is need for mounting systematic and sustainable communication campaigns using the relevant media channels. The objective is to change people's attitudes and behavior towards women since it is the stereotypes ascribed to women through societal institutions that have stifled women's capacity in contributing to national development. JUSTIFICATION Most scholars who have attempted to work on Africa and development have tended to emphasized development in terms of economic growth and in the process have marginalised the role of women as agents of social change. It is my conviction that when society creates an enabling environment, through empowering women, they can make some meaningful contributions to national development. Thus, women empowerment provides us with a more humane avenue for sustainable human development. METHODOLOGY My research was based on literature review and the work reviewed dealt with women issues in development and the concept of development as used in Africa. I had also interviews with some of the African students and Norma Pecora to gather their view points. The Comminit web page was also extensively used as it dealt with a wide range of developmental and communication issues. CONCLUSION The conclusion I came up with is that Africa needs to desist from the view of development as mere economic growth since it does not improve the living standards of the majority of people but only benefits a few elite. Development should be holistic and this entails creating a society in which human people can self realize their potential for national growth. This can be realized through women empowerment and systematic communication campaigns should be the vehichle for this drive. |