Joyce Banda lobbies for women, youth responsive policies

African governments have been asked to put in place better laws and policies to enable women and young people to thrive as entrepreneurs and innovators.

Former president Joyce Banda said this on Monday in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania at the start of a three-day African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Conference on Women and Youth in Trade which seeks to discuss women’s opportunities in the continental trade bloc.

In a speech monitored virtually, Banda said said laws and policies need to focus on equality between men and special groups, including women and young people as investment in these groups is an important factor for Africa’s sustainable development.

She said: “We must open opportunities that will empower women and young people so that they are not humiliated and harassed.

“It is now time to empower women and youth to participate in the development process by having policies and opportunities that will remove them from poverty. If women are not fully involved in the development process, Africa cannot develop.”

She further stated that what is important is for African countries to build strong economies enabling women to overcome poverty.

Liberia Vice-President Jewel Howard Taylor said an inclusive economy giving priority to women and youth is essential as these groups are a vital link for sustainable social and economic development.

“Women and young people should have freedom and rights in financial matters including loans in financial institutions, economic opportunities as well as removing the obstacles they face such as gender violence and oppressive laws,” she said.

Trade data show that despite women running most small and medium scale businesses in Africa, their funding gap with men is $42 billion.

The conference, which has pooled high-profile women and youth in business, will provide a platform of engagement between women and youth of the continent to understand and appreciate their needs and challenges in trade.

It was convened under the patronage of Tanzania President Samia Suluhu, who is the champion of women and youth in trade under the AfCFTA and will also develop policy proposals for the draft Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.

It is being held under the theme Women and Youth: The Engine of Trade in Africa and closes today. n