Fighting gender discrimination in social norms

The OECD Development Center is gearing up to unveil its 5th edition of Social Institutions and Gender Index, shedding light on the increasing number of countries dedicated to eradicating gender inequality. Bathylle Missika, Head of Networks, Partnerships, and Gender Division at the OECD Development Center, recently sat down with CNBC Africa to delve into the report's findings. Missika highlighted the positive trend in Africa, noting that more African countries are moving into the very low to low categories of discrimination. This advancement is exemplified by Cote d'Ivoire and Zimbabwe recently entering the very low discrimination category, showcasing significant progress. However, despite these improvements, the pace of change remains sluggish. The UN's projection of attaining gender equality in 300 years underscores the pressing need for accelerated action. Enumerating the regional disparities, Missika revealed that Southern Africa boasts the lowest level of discrimination across the continent, surpassing even Asia in this regard. In stark contrast, North and Central Africa struggle with the highest levels of discrimination, primarily stemming from entrenched inequalities in family dynamics. Women often grapple with limited agency, such as requiring spousal approval for pursuing paid work or leaving the confines of their homes, contributing to the pervasive gender disparities. Delving deeper into the areas witnessing improvement, Missika pinpointed strides in combating gender-based violence. Countries like Benin and Madagascar have enacted robust legal frameworks to address violence against women effectively. Moreover, numerous nations have outlawed child marriage by setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 without exceptions, safeguarding girls' futures and economic opportunities. Despite these advancements, acceptance of violence against women remains a pertinent issue in some regions. While countries like South Africa exhibit a low tolerance for such violence, others like South Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Somalia report alarmingly high levels of acceptance, with over 70% of women deeming beatings acceptable under certain circumstances. Missika emphasized the significance of involving women in anti-violence initiatives, transcending the conventional focus solely on male perpetrators. Assessing Africa's progress vis-a-vis OECD countries, Missika noted a narrowing gap, with half of developing nations, including several African states, falling under the very low to low discrimination categories. This positive trend underscores the global nature of reforms aimed at fostering gender equality, despite the myriad challenges posed by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. While lauding the reforms implemented, Missika underscored the critical need for effective enforcement mechanisms, lamenting the lack of sanctions in the face of non-compliance with gender quotas in numerous African countries. She stressed the importance of evidence-based policy solutions to bridge the existing gender gap comprehensively. In terms of collaboration with African governments, the OECD Development Center prioritizes dialogue and partnership to align policy interventions with regional cultures, fostering tailored responses to combat gender disparities. By leveraging data-driven insights, countries like Cote d'Ivoire have implemented targeted policies, such as incentivizing families to keep girls in school through cash transfers during economic hardships, addressing systemic challenges like early marriage and land inheritance discrepancies. In conclusion, while Africa celebrates notable advancements in gender equality, the journey towards comprehensive equity remains a slow and arduous one. It underscores the imperative for concerted efforts, evidence-based policies, and proactive enforcement mechanisms to expedite progress and create a more equitable society for all genders.