2021: A year of milestones for African women

Justice Martha Koome was sworn in as Kenya’s pioneer female Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court.

Photo credit: Pool | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • The year 2021 was exceptionally a “time is now” moment for women, especially those from African descent.

The year 2021 was exceptionally a “time is now” moment for women, especially those from African descent.

The months of March and May were particularly ground-breaking, driving refreshing optimism across the continent on ending patriarchy in leadership.

We highlight below other major gender agenda milestones that marked the year.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

On March 1, Nigerian native Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was sworn in as Director General of the World Trade Organisation.

Photo credit: Photo | AFP

On March 1, Nigerian native Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, was sworn in as Director General of the World Trade Organisation, becoming the first African and first woman to hold the position. Her selection, however, revealed the gender bias and racial discrimination that smacks women in the global sphere. A Swedish media house published an article headlining the Harvard trained economist as a “grandmother”, to head the global trade body. It later apologised after women leaders, including those working at the UN agencies protested the discriminatory coverage. Six months later, the Swiss Press Council also faulted Aargauer Zeitung for its sexist coverage.

Samia Suluhu

On March 19, and Samia Suluhu Hassan became the first female and Muslim woman to head Tanzania.

Photo credit: Pool | Nation Media Group

On March 19, and Samia Suluhu Hassan took over Tanzania’s leadership following the death of John Magufuli. She became the first female and Muslim woman to head Tanzania.

Three days into her leadership, Ms Hassan had to affirm her capability.

“For those doubting if this woman will manage to be the President of Tanzania, I’d like to tell you that the one standing here is the President. I repeat again, the one standing here is the President of Tanzania and she is a woman,” she said during a funeral mass for Magufuli at Dodoma.

Mutale Nalumango

The running mate of then Zimbabwe’s presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema of United Party for National Development, officially became the vice-president in August.

With the win, she became the second female vice-president after Inonge Mutukwa Wina, who has sat on that high ranking position since 2015, under the immediate former President Edgar Lungu of the Patriotic Front party. Zambia is among model countries in Africa in the fight towards ending gender inequality. It ranks eighth on the 2021 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report.

Ruling on FGM

A medic Dr Tatu Kamau had in 2017, challenged the constitutionality of the anti-FGM law.

In March, a three-judge bench of the High Court in Kenya upheld the constitutionality of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011. A medic Dr Tatu Kamau had in 2017, challenged the constitutionality of the anti-FGM law arguing that Sections 5, 19, 20, and 21 of the Act were unconstitutional. Section 5 of the Act establishes Anti-FGM Board responsible for leading efforts aimed at ending the harmful practice. While Sections 19 to 21 criminalise FGM and prescribe penalties for the convicted.

Justice Martha Koome

Justice Martha Koome was sworn in as Kenya’s pioneer female Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court.

To women, she served as a point of reference.

“If the Chief Justice had not applied for this job we could not be here today,” Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua said on June 18, during a luncheon to celebrate CJ Koome’s achievement.

Kamala Harris

Harris of African and South Asian descent took the oath of office as Vice President of the United States on January 20.

Photo credit: Photo | AFP

Harris of African and South Asian descent took the oath of office as Vice President of the United States on January 20.She paid tribute to her predecessors who’ve fought for the rights of women.

“I reflect on their struggle, their determination and the strength of their vision, to see what can be, unburdened by what has been. I stand on their shoulders,” she said.

Generation Equality Forum

French President Emmanuel Macron takes a selfie with guests at the end of the Generation Equality Forum at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris on June 30, 2021.

Photo credit: Photo | AFP

The global meeting convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, took place on June 30-July 2. At the forum, President Uhuru Kenyatta reiterated 12 commitments on strengthening response to gender-based violence (GBV) including $23 million of own funding on GBV prevention and response by 2022, to be increased to $50 million by 2026 in addition to $1 million each year for GBV research and innovation. The meeting ended with close to $40 billion of financial commitments from governments and public sector institutions, private sector, philanthropic foundations, UN entities, international and regional organisations.

Glasgow climate summit

At the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties at Glasgow, Scotland, at least 11 countries made fresh pledges to strengthen the resilience of women and girls against climate shocks. 

Photo credit: Photo | AFP

At the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of Parties at Glasgow, Scotland held Oct 31-Nov 12, at least 11 countries made fresh pledges to strengthen the resilience of women and girls against climate shocks. Canada promised to allocate 80 per cent of its $4.3 billion climate investments over the next five years to gender equality outcomes. The United Kingdom would also spend $ 223 million in addressing dual challenges of gender inequality and climate change. Belgium committed to a Sahel Climate Program focused on women and girls’ needs, with a five-year investment of $58 million. Other countries that enlisted their concrete actions to mainstreaming gender equality and equity in climate processes were Bolivia, Norway, Sierra Leone, United States, Ecuador and Germany. Nigeria and Sweden, particularly set out to review their national climate action plans to embed gender equality as a target to be achieved in efforts to reduce global warming.