Owusu-Gyamfi: Gender equality is about shared power

In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, President & CEO of the African Center for Economic Transformation, emphasized the importance of moving from women empowerment to shared power in order to transform economies in Africa. Owusu-Gyamfi expressed concerns about the slow pace of change in achieving women's inclusion, stating that at the current trajectory, women's full inclusion may not be realized until 2093, which she finds unacceptable. She highlighted the power of perceptions and societal beliefs that continue to limit opportunities for women, emphasizing the need for a shift towards shared power between men and women for the benefit of society as a whole. One key point raised by Owusu-Gyamfi is the significance of implementing gender-inclusive economic policies. She pointed out that many existing policies are gender-neutral, assuming a level playing field for all, which is not the case due to cultural and social inequities. She stressed the importance of making economic policies gender-inclusive and transformative to address these disparities effectively. However, the challenge lies in the implementation of these policies, as many are developed at higher levels of government but fail to trickle down to local levels where action is needed. The lack of capacity, resources, and skills at the grassroots level hinders the translation of policies into meaningful actions on the ground. Another key barrier identified by Owusu-Gyamfi is the compartmentalization of gender policies within specific government ministries, rather than integrating them across the entire system. She emphasized the need for a holistic approach that integrates gender policies with economic strategies to create a comprehensive framework for sustainable development. Owusu-Gyamfi highlighted the interconnectedness of various development goals, such as health and education, and called for the effective integration of gender and economic policies to address these challenges collectively. In conclusion, Owusu-Gyamfi's insights shed light on the importance of shared power as a catalyst for economic transformation in Africa. By moving away from traditional notions of women empowerment towards a shared power dynamic, men and women can work together to build more inclusive economies that benefit all members of society. The key to success lies in the implementation of gender-inclusive and transformative policies that bridge the gap between policy development and on-the-ground action, ultimately leading to sustainable progress and prosperity for the continent.