WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE AND THE COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
In February 2004 the Prime Minister Tony Blair set up a Commission for Africa, aimed at providing a new focus and a comprehensive set of policies for a strong and prosperous Africa. At the time, he said
“Africa is the only continent to have grown poorer in the past 25 years.
44 million children do not go to school, millions ….die through famine, or disease, or conflict, and Africa risks being left even further behind."
The 17-member Commission has only 3 women members. Only 1 of the women is African and 8 of the members are African men. Since its first meeting in London in May, the commission has been carrying out consultations and analysis, and has also been asking organisations and individuals to make written submissions. A final report from the Commission is due to be published in April 2005. In 2005 Britain will be in charge of both the European Union and the G8.
The Commission has decided to look at three clusters of issues, which will provide the analytical framework for its final report. These are: growth and resources; empowerment and culture; governance and institutions.
An initial submission was made to the commission in June this year, on behalf of members of the BOND network. BOND is the “British Overseas Non-Governmental Organisations for Development” network; it was founded in June 1993 and now has over 280 members. It aims to improve the UK’s contribution to international development by promoting an open exchange of ideas, experience and information amongst its members, and between members, non-members and the UK government.
The Commission held a consultation meeting with BOND in early August, and the Gender and Development Network (co-coordinated by WOMANKIND Worldwide) was represented at that meeting. It was felt that the meeting demonstrated that women's rights and gender equality were in danger of being sidelined in the final report. WOMANKIND Worldwide and the Gender and Development Network decided it was important and timely to champion a gender perspective. So we have produced our own short submission and recommendations - Read Submission
