The African continent is well endowed with abundant resources - natural, cultural and human. However, its peoples remain poor - and those most severely affected by poverty are African women.
Part of what maked them poor are social inequalities and the lack of opportunities they face solely becuase of their gender. Although gender inequality exists in most societies arount the world to differing extents, the combined devastating effects of poverty, discrimination and lack of opportunity affect African women in multiples ways, from their economic standing (income levels, rights to own property, access to finance), to their social welbeing (access to health services and education), to their prospects for better living conditions (heavy households work burdens, ability to secure employment or self-employed).