Photo Courtesy of Albert Gonzalez Farran, UNAMID via Flickr.

Introduction

The many challenges of African development demand a new, holistic approach that integrates economic, environmental, and societal factors. This approach must ensure not only macroeconomic growth, but also the sustainable use of natural resources and inclusive growth that benefits African men and women. In the past, African countries have concentrated on measuring development in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). However, for the continent to achieve inclusive growth and development, it needs to address challenges such as poverty, disease, women's rights, and environmental degradation that are not captured solely in GDP measurements. To do so, governments need to focus on people-oriented development that seeks to maintain the stability of social and cultural systems in addition to the economic system.

What is Sustainable Development?

Sustainable development calls for the integration of economic growth, social development, and environmental management as interdependent pillars for long-term growth and development. The concept of sustainable development gained worldwide attention when the UN Development Committee headed by Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norway's first female Prime Minister, released the famous Brundtland Report in 1987. It defined sustainable development as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The Brundtland Report brought sustainability to the center-stage of the development debate. In addition, it called for the revisiting of societal goals that would take into account environmental integrity, social justice and gender equality, the economic and social welfare of current and future generations, and popular participation.

Women and Sustainable Development in Africa

The economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainable development are particularly relevant to the discussion of gender equality. Although women account for over half the potential talent base in Africa, as a group they have been marginalized, and their economic, social, and environmental contributions in large part go unrealized. Numerous studies indicate that gender inequalities have a high economic cost, lead to other social inequalities, and can advance environmental degradation in Africa. This is because extremely poor communities depend disproportionately on natural resources for survival; for example, the need for energy and animal protein can lead to environmental damage in the form of unsustainable agricultural and husbandry practices as well as deforestation. Sustainable development focuses not just on the economy; it also brings attention to the human dimensions of development. In failing to make the best use of  half of their populations, most African countries are failing to address a key part of the human dimension of development and are underinvesting in the human capital they need to achieve sustainability.

African Women and Economic Sustainability

The contribution of women to economic development in Africa is considerable, but much of it is in the informal sector. Research shows that women constitute about 70% of the informal economy in Africa. Specifically, African women contribute to 70% of crop production, 50% of animal husbandry, 60% of marketing, and nearly 100% of local food processing activities. Research conducted in Kenya and South Africa shows that children's welfare in poor households, including nutritional status and schooling attendance, improves when women, rather than men, are in charge of household income. Women invest a majority of their income in their families and communities, compared to men who typically reinvest only 30% to 40% of their income. Empowering women, therefore, can play a significant role in reducing poverty levels in Africa. Creating opportunities for female economic participation will improve earnings potential and help families rise out of poverty.

To enhance the contribution of African women in order to achieve economic sustainability, policy makers must integrate gender equality and women's perspectives into the discussion of strategies for poverty reduction, economic growth, and financial infrastructure. In addition, steps must be taken to ensure men and women have equal access to productive assets and resources, (land, other forms of capital, and finance), employment opportunities, and essential services (energy and water). Banks and donors must see women as active participants in economic development. More aid needs to focus on creating income-generating initiatives based on traditional female roles in health services, nutrition, agriculture, and the home.

African Women and Environmental Sustainability

African women are agricultural producers, workers, and resource managers. They safeguard the natural environment, maintain traditions, and distribute resources within the household and community. Therefore, because of their heavy reliance on natural resources, women in Africa are among those most heavily affected by environmental degradation and climate change. In most parts of Africa, climate change adversely affects crop yields and thus the livelihood and food security of women who are largely responsible for food production and family nutrition. Supplying water and fuel for families, which is typically the responsibility of women, also becomes more difficult as environmental change negatively affects clean water supplies and water and fuel infrastructure in urban and rural settlements alike. Coping with the damage of extreme weather events such as drought, storms, and floods therefore also disproportionately affects women.

African Women and Social Sustainability

Sustainable development emphasizes equality and solutions to negative social trends such as growing income disparity, rising unemployment, and the persistent gender gap in addition to economic growth. Providing African women with opportunities and resources, while engaging them in environmental decision-making processes, will enable them to improve their livelihoods and well-being in a way aligned with the goals of sustainable development.

Gender equality and women's empowerment are fundamental parts of social justice. Societal and cultural norms and economic realities that hamper equal access to resources, health, and education limit the ability of African women to participate in all aspects of economic life. Investing in female education and health, as well as female-centered productive economic activities, will drastically reduce poverty in Africa and have a multiplying effect on economies. Social policies that center the principles of inclusiveness, equality, and environmental sustainability can contribute to creating an enabling environment for growth beneficial to both women and men.

Conclusion

The three dimensions of sustainable development — economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability — cannot be fully addressed without recognizing the centrality of gender equality and women's empowerment. Creating opportunities that encourage African women's participation in economic, environmental, and social activities and relevant decision-making processes is critical to achieving truly inclusive development. Furthermore, focusing on women allows societies and economies to grow in a way that will reduce poverty, reduce inequality, and ensure the sustainable use of the African environment.

Ayodotun Bobadoye was a Southern Voices Network Scholar with the Wilson Center Africa Program from May-July 2015. He is a research officer at the African Technology Policy Study Network (ATPS), a Southern Voices Network member organization, in Kenya.