It is that time of the year again. The day when the entire world stops and takes time to celebrate women. This is the day when media outlets dedicate acres of space to celebrate women and recognise their achievements. Now, I am not sure if I should be smiling, celebrating or sulking. As I write this piece, I have very many questions, so please indulge me. But before I delve into this opinion piece, let me wish all the women (and men) a happy International Women’s Day. This year, the United Nations theme for International Women's Day 2024 is “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.” It is a rallying call for everyone to invest in women (and girls) so we can move gender equity forward. This is the point I confess that I am really struggling with this #InvestInWomen theme. I am experiencing a mix of emotions. This is why... In 2024, why are we still talking about including and investing in a gender that is more than 50 percent of the world’s population? Isn't it sad that in the 21st century, we are still talking about the importance of investing in women/girls so we can have a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable world for present and future generations. Hello?!? It is still a man’s world The estimated global population of women is approximately 3.9 billion, accounting for roughly half of the world's total population. Women are entitled to the same rights, opportunities, and freedoms as men. However, that is not the case. It is a man’s world, hence the reason why we have to remind each other to #InvestInWomen. In Africa while progress has been made in many areas, there are still disparities and challenges in ensuring gender equality. Take for example inheritance laws. Many African customary laws still favor male heirs resulting in unequal distribution of property and assets. This leaves women with limited or no access to land or property upon the death of a family member. In politics, women are often underrepresented in leadership positions in many African countries, including in parliament, government, and local governance structures. Legal and institutional barriers, as well as cultural attitudes and stereotypes, contribute to the marginalization of women in decision-making processes. History is littered with examples of great women who have contributed to society because we invested in them. We have the late Prof. Wangare Maathai for Kenya, the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace. We also have Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria, the first woman and the first African to lead the World Trade Organization. Okonjo-Iweala has had a long career impacting global finance, development, and trade. These women, among many others, exemplify the significant impact that investing in women can have, not just in Africa but globally, reinforcing the notion that empowering women is not just a moral or ethical imperative but a strategic investment in a better future for all. African countries investing in women It is not all gloom and doom in Africa. Rwanda is leading in women's representation in politics. The country has implemented legal quotas to ensure women's participation in decision-making roles, resulting in one of the highest percentages of women parliamentarians in the world. Additionally, Rwanda has enacted laws addressing gender-based violence and promoting women's economic empowerment. Then there is Tunisia, often included in discussions of African countries with favorable laws for women's rights. Tunisia has implemented legal reforms aimed at promoting gender equality, including laws addressing gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and women's participation in politics and decision-making. These examples demonstrate that progress is being made across Africa in promoting and protecting women's rights through legal reforms and policy initiatives. However, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of these laws, as well as addressing cultural norms and attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality. How the media covers women As a journalist, I will now shine a spotlight on the media, an institution that plays a critical role in shaping public perception of women. The media influences how women are portrayed, represented, and perceived in society. Sad to note that in many instances, women are underrepresented or marginalized in news stories and interviews. It is common to see a poster by a media outlet with panelists who are all men or to watch or listen to a show that has only men and no women. This phenomenon is what has been christened as a “Man-el”. A recent (2024) study by the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications titled: The State of Women in the Media: Coverage and Framing of Women in East African Media confirmed that indeed the media is not “counting the women in”. According to this study, there are glaring gaps in how women are covered by traditional and digital media platforms in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). The study found out that generally, women are predominantly covered by media when they are at national events; “whereas politics, economics and entrepreneurship have a significant bearing on socioeconomic development, only 11% of the total number of newspaper stories covered women in political, business, entrepreneurship and economic events or activities, and for TV, the number is even lower at 9%.” We should deeply reflect on Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress. There is no doubt, #InvestingInWomen is the right thing to do. It should be a habit, a way of life. Including women should be part of the way we do business, conduct our politics and raise our children. International Women's Day should NOT be a reminder. It should be a day to celebrate progress made, and milestones made in overcoming the challenges faced in creating a more equitable and just world for all – men and women! About the author: Carole J. Kimutai is a journalist currently working as the head of Editorial and Storytelling at Hill & Knowlton, East Africa. She works with brands and companies to tell stories in creative ways.
