1. The Canadian and African Business Women’s
Alliance, CAABWA
Experiencing Development in Africa
IDSA02H3/AFSA03H3

2. Plan
10-11am - Admin, Review & Reflection
11-12noon - Guest Speaker Lecture & Q & A
12- 12.10 - Break
12.10 - 1.00pm - Case Studies & Class
Discussion
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3. Day 2 – Gender and Youth in
Africa
Let’s reflect on Day 1’s discussion
 What is development?
 How do we determine which countries
are rich and which countries are poor?
 Why women and youth?
 How is it that countries with similar
incomes vary substantially in “quality of
life”
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4. What is development?
 Development is a complex issue, with many different
and sometimes contentious definitions. A basic
perspective equates development with economic
growth. The United Nations Development
Programme uses a more detailed definition- according
to them development is 'to lead long and healthy
lives, to be knowledgeable, to have access to the
resources needed for a decent standard of living
and to be able to participate in the life of the
community.‘
Source:http://www.volunteeringoptions.org/VolunteeringDevel
opment/WhatisDevelopment/tabid/78/Default.aspx
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5. Economic Growth vs Human
Development
Economic Growth Human Development
Index (HDI)
Measured by a
percentage of This is a composite
change in the GDP statistic that is used to
or GNP of a country rank countries by level
or state of human
development.
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6. What informs the focus on women
and youth in Africa
 Statistics
 Advocacy Groups
 Governments
 Grassroots organisations
 Regional Organisations
 The African Union
◦ NEPAD
 The United Nations
 Other development actors
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7. Statisctics
What have they indicated?
◦ Women and education
◦ Women – maternal deaths, HIV & AIDS, Malaria
◦ Labour force and wages
◦ Youth unemployment
◦ Demographics
◦ Youth & entrepreneurship
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8. The focus for development
UN thematic areas
http://www.un.org/en/development/
 Advancement of women
 Countries in specific situations
 Social development
Etc.
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9. Millenium Development Goals
1. End Poverty and Hunger
2. Universal Education
3. Gender Equality
4. Child Health
5. Maternal Health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS
7. Environmental Sustainability
8. Global Partnership
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10. Gender
UNIFEM’s definition
 Gender: refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated
with being male and female and the relationships between women and
men and girls and boys, as well as the relations between women and
those between men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships
are socially constructed and are learned through socialization
processes. They are context/ time-specific and changeable. Gender
determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a women or a man
in a given context. In most societies there are differences and
inequalities between women and men in responsibilities
assigned, activities undertaken, access to and control over resources, as
well as decision-making opportunities. Gender is part of the broader
socio-cultural context. Other important criteria for socio-cultural
analysis include class, race, poverty level, ethnic group and age.
Source:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/conceptsandefinitions.htm
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11. Gender Equality – UNIFEM’s definition
Equality between women and men (gender equality): refers to
the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of women
and men and girls and boys. Equality does not mean that
women and men will become the same but that women’s and
men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend
on whether they are born male or female. Gender equality
implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women
and men are taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity
of different groups of women and men. Gender equality is not a
women’s issue but should concern and fully engage men as well
as women. Equality between women and men is seen both as a
human rights issue and as a precondition for, and indicator
of, sustainable people-centered development.
Source:
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/conceptsandefinitions.
htm
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12. Youth
 The United Nations define youth as
persons between the ages of 15 and 24.
UNESCO understands that young people
are a heterogeneous group in constant
evolution and that the experience of ‘being
young’ varies enormously across regions
and within countries.
Source:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-
and-human-sciences/themes/social-
transformations/youth/
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13. Today
Given this background, let us now listen
to our Guest Speaker and discuss:
Gender and Youth in Africa
◦ Why is gender important? Socio-legal
status of women in Africa;
◦ The importance of gender and social
relations
◦ Youth in Africa
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14. Case # 1
Consider the following extract:“A woman who discloses her HIV
positive status in Southern Africa is likely to face greater
discrimination than her male partner. While her partner is
likely to stay in the home, she may be thrown out of her
home with no income or accommodation, she may have to
leave her children behind and may loose any inheritance
rights.” VSO, WORKING ON GENDER EQUALITY: TOOLS AND
TIPS FROM PROGRAMME OFFICES, 2004–6
 What is your response to the extract?
 What explanations are given in Canada to explain gender
inequality? What traditional ideas might inform these
explanations?
Adapted from VSO
volzone: http://volzone.vsoint.org/mod/lesson/view.php
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15. Case # 2
 African youth have the potential to be a great impetus for
Africa’s development, provided that appropriate investments in
health and human capital are made. However, if youth issues
are not addressed, and if high rates of youth unemployment and
under-employment persist, Africa’s development could be
negatively affected.
 What is your response to this extract?
 Do you see any similarities relating to youth employment in
Canada?
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16. THANK YOU
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