“If they refuse to make space for you at the table, then create your own table”- Graca Machel
In any setting a table may often be furniture that is overlooked as a mundane feature of the space that it occupies, it serves as a gathering place, for both people and things. If this is the power of a table then what happens then when crucial stakeholders are not invited, let alone consulted, on significant decisions that are to impact the overall society. The answer is: Inequality! Our reality is, women are still dominated by patriarchy culture which exist within many social structures. Moreover, decision – making on crucial societal and economic developments have marginalised the agency of women and girls to exercise their rights and fulfil their potential. Nevertheless, a wave of women are rising to change the tides and usher in a movement that will see the building of a critical mass of women leaders who advocate and represent women’s interest in key decision-making platforms.
“To be a powerful woman means to have the possibility, the right & responsibility to make choices that better oneself & better one’s community. Power is making a conscious effort in both your private & public spaces to tear down the walls of disrespect, discrimination and disenfranchisement wherever you meet it. Using your influence to create impact and better the lives of others- that is what being a powerful woman means to me”- Graça Machel.
This March, Forbes published its ‘first -of -its -find” compilation of Africa’s leading women who are dominating the spheres of politics, business, science and the media, these women are the movers and shakers that are changing the narrative on women’s representation in powerful positions. This speaks well to what we need to see in this Decade of Action where we are advocating for women’s financial and economic inclusion, this has shown that we are not just ticking the boxes, we are taking action, women are sitting on the tables and are making it happen by closing the inequality gap.
This is also how the media is taking charge and contributing to changing this narrative, thanks to Forbes Africa. In its research to come up with the 50 final list, Forbes used a metrics that looked into leadership, influence, consistency and impact. Our Founder, Graça Machel, was one of the women that was celebrated in this issue and she shared with Forbes, the journey that took her to the founding of the Graça Machel Trust ten years ago. She said, “The Trust came as an effort to fill a gap, I have been involved with the political promotion of women’s rights, but I felt in the economic sphere, there were no organisations focusing on enhancing the capabilities of women in the formal sector. So I decided to establish the Trust”.
This comes at a very critical moment when the world is celebrating international Women’s Day this week. This year the theme for the United Nations International Women’s Day 2020 is, “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.” This comes after an emerging global consensus that says that despite some progress, real change has been agonizingly slow for the majority of women and girls in the world. Today, not a single country can claim to have achieved gender equality. Multiple obstacles remain unchanged in law and in culture. Women and girls continue to be undervalued; they work more and earn less and have fewer choices; and experience multiple forms of violence at home and in public spaces. Furthermore, there is a significant threat of rollback of hard-won feminist gains.
The United Nations theme of Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights really speak to what we as a Trust are doing. This year see’s us as an organisation turn 10 years old. In observing this milestone, the Trust has launched an Expanding Equality Initiative aimed at convening key stakeholders to re-energize engagement and catalyze accelerated policy action to drive the advancement of women and children in Africa. Through the initiative we hope to connect the Trust’s existing networks, and partners, as well as establish new partnerships for the purposes of Expanding Equality across multisectoral collaborators
This article is a call to action to all the women in the world who are fighting against the grain and bringing impactful change in their corner of the world. May this list of Forbes 50 of Africa’s leading women remind us all of the great outcomes that emerge which we push for change. Change comes hand in hand with resistance – instead of the resistance deterring us from completing the task at hand, may it instead courage us as it will serve as an indication that we are doing something right.
Here are five things we need to remember from Graca Machel’s interview with Forbes Africa.
What made you start the Graca Machel Trust, which is celebrating its tenth year?
The Trust came as an effort to fill a gap, I have been involved with the political promotion of women’s rights, but I felt in the economic sphere, there were no organisations focusing on enhancing the capabilities of women in the formal sector. So I decided to establish the Trust…
What are some of the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in accessing funding?
There are too many. There are still countries on this continent where if a women has to start a business, she has to have permission from her husband. We are working to remove that kind of barrier. Women are not children; they are adults that know what they want to do. They should be recognised with their dignity and to start a business whenever they feel like it…
What are your opinions of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement coming into force this year?
It’s extremely welcomed. It came at a time when the conversation within the African Union is about [launching] an African passport and removing barriers. It’s important to create those instruments which materialize what we have been saying for decades “we are one”. Now, you need to facilitate transport, trade and broader – crossing for those in the informal economy…
How would you describe a powerful woman in 2020?
I struggle to understand the issue of power because, speaking for myself, I do care [about] being powerful. People say I am powerful but I care more about impactful – in the work I do with children, adolescents, women or even institutions. Those who observe can say, ‘you are powerful,’ but it doesn’t come from me to say I am powerful…
What is next for Mama Graca Machel?
I want to consolidate the institutions I established. I want them to be strong enough to allow me to gradually ‘retire from retirement’ as Madiba would say. My energy will be reducing and by the time I decide I will not be at the head of my own institutions; I want them to carry on without feeling any kind of difference because of my absence…
Happy International Women’s Day to all you powerhouse women in the world!
May we always remember that #Aluta Continua!
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The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.