Currently, women in Africa are experiencing unprecedented improvements in access to education, healthcare, and various opportunities. Yet, the enduring disparity between them and their male peers starkly highlights that gender equality remains an elusive aspiration. The statistics are alarming: one in three women still encounter physical or sexual violence, while nearly every woman spends twice as much time on unpaid household chores compared to men. Moreover, no country in Africa guarantees complete legal protection for women.

This reality stirs a mix of frustration and hope within me, as it underscores both our progress and the significant work that still lies ahead.

Nearly thirty years ago, 189 global leaders emerged from the Fourth World Conference on Women with a renewed commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action – a bold initiative aimed at eliminating gender inequality. However, as nations evaluate their progress today, none have delivered on those promises. The 2023 Africa Gender Index report, developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Development Bank, reveals that we are only halfway to achieving gender equality. The journey ahead is long, and progress has been excruciatingly slow.

The implications are severe. The inability to eradicate gender inequality comes with heavy consequences: economic stagnation, fragile social structures, instability, and wasted human potential – all of which impede Africa’s advancement towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Without urgent action, we risk sliding into a future fraught with escalating inequality, injustice, and instability – a scenario that none of us can accept.

As we reflect on the commitments made in Beijing, it’s critical that everyone holds themselves accountable and takes decisive political and financial steps to change our current trajectories. Our analysis identifies five vital areas where targeted efforts over the next five years can help us achieve gender equality by 2030.

Firstly, while more women are securing full-time jobs, they still shoulder a disproportionate burden of caregiving duties, encounter discrimination, and face harmful stereotypes. It’s crucial for governments and businesses to dismantle the barriers obstructing women’s career progress. Evidence shows that providing women with equal opportunities is not just the ethical choice; it’s also an intelligent strategy, capable of increasing the GDP of emerging markets and developing economies by an average of 23%.

Secondly, as digitalization redefines the future of work, many women are being left behind. By 2023, only 32% of women in Africa had internet access. This digital divide results in lost opportunities, costing African economies millions of dollars annually, as expressed in economic losses. It is urgent that we make digital services accessible and promote digital literacy to ensure every woman can participate equally in the digital realm.

Thirdly, although maternal mortality rates have fallen, healthcare remains out of reach for countless women. Governments need to prioritize healthcare access for all women, regardless of their geographical or economic circumstances. Investing in women’s health not only saves lives but also has economic benefits, as every dollar spent yields $3 in economic growth.

Fourthly, despite near-equal access to primary, secondary, and tertiary education for women in Africa, this has not yet translated into equitable representation in leadership or economic roles. Women’s representation in African parliaments has only risen marginally, from 25% in 2021 to 26% in 2024. Without women’s voices in positions of power, we risk reinforcing the very inequalities we seek to eliminate.

Finally, we must confront the harmful cultural norms, gender-based violence, and legal barriers that limit women’s access to resources and positions of leadership. Addressing these deeply ingrained issues necessitates not just stringent law enforcement and policy implementation but also a cultural shift, engaging policymakers, corporate leaders, community elders, faith leaders, and every individual.

These challenges are not new. Though some may seem insurmountable, they are not beyond our reach. Africa has seen remarkable successes, from the rise in women graduates in science in Tunisia to the significant reduction of cervical cancer cases in Rwanda, and Namibia’s achievement of a gender-equal parliament. These instances remind us that change is possible when we invest in effective strategies. In this context, data is vital for targeting and evaluating interventions based on evidence rather than assumptions. Unfortunately, concerning women and girls, crucial data is often scarce, leaving many challenges unrecognized and unaddressed. For meaningful progress, we must enhance our data capabilities to create a comprehensive understanding.

In a world increasingly focused on pressing issues, gender equality is frequently deprioritized. Complacency and the status quo are no longer viable options. If we maintain our current path, achieving gender equality may remain 300 years away. This is simply unacceptable.

We call upon leaders across all sectors to reaffirm their commitment to the goals set forth in Beijing and to invest in impactful changes to confront the ongoing gender inequality. Only through these efforts can we turn equality from a distant aspiration into a reality within our lifetimes. I genuinely believe this is achievable, but it requires collective action starting now.