Source: Swazi Observer
Despite the promising rapid economic growth in Swaziland, gender disparities in women’s economic participation have remained deep and persistent in the country.

Gender as a human right instrument

However, though it may have various definitions due to its nature as a social construct, women empowerment according to SIDA report of 2009 refers to the process of change that gives individuals greater freedom of choice and action. 

A process of economic  empowerment for women is contingent upon available resources and whether women have the skills to use them; access to economic opportunities; and control over economic benefits that can be used to achieve positive change.

Gender as a global concern

The increased focus on gender and development debate has been an important Developmental issue of the last three decades. The global realization that failure to pay closer attention to the differentiated positions of women and men in society (resource allocation, rights, and opportunities) in formulating policies and designing projects can have adverse impact on developmental outcomes. 

With this understanding, the consensus around the Beijing Platform for Action and was endorsed by 189 governments and leaders of key international institutions at the UN International Conference on Women in 1995 in Beijing. 

The centrality of gender equality as one of the prerequisites for poverty reduction was further recognized as the world leaders agreed to a set of time-bound and measurable goals and targets, now called Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), for halving poverty and hunger, ensuring universal primary schooling, reducing child and maternal mortality and infectious diseases, improving environmental sustainability and achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

Reaffirmed commitment to gender promotion

More to this, At the World Summit in 2005, Governments of Africa and other regions and international development organizations, reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment as essential to development, peace and security. 

Based on these mile stones, it can be stated that there is a compelling evidence that gender equality and empowerment of women are instrumental for achieving other MDGs – universal primary education (MDG.2) lower under-five mortality (MDG4) improved maternal health (MDG5) and lower likelihood of contracting HIV/AIDS (MDG.6) recognition that gender equality is key in achieving other MDGs (UN Millennium Project, 2005).

Women’s contribution to productivity

The World Bank study (Gleb, A. 2003) pointed out how Africa needs to capitalise on its un explored growth potential, as women contribute half of the labor force, but whose productivity and growth has been affected by discriminatory practices in access to education and training and limited control over resources. 

Similarly, the Thirty-Eighth Session of the Conference of the African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, held in May 2005 in Abuja, Nigeria is in correspondence of the COMESA charter (draft 2014) on Women that states that one of the ways for promoting growth and reducing poverty and achieving MDGs, among other measures is through strong investment in people, particularly Africa’s women who have long been excluded from full economic participation in the societies.  Women are more committed to end poverty than men

Women’s economic empowerment is recognised as one means for reducing poverty and economic growth. 

Women play a significant role in African economies, and are highly represented in the micro and small enterprises sub-sector. 70 percent of the women in Africa are engaged in small income generating self employment in agriculture and non-agricultural activities with low prospect for growth which constitutes of the informal sector. 

Since women’s economic well being is linked to the development of the sectors and sub-sectors in which they operate over 80 percent of new jobs created in Africa is in the informal economy (Chen, M. et. Al 2002).

The gender gap in business

Common characteristic of women owned businesses is  the type of economic activity in which they are engaged. In Africa many women are engaged in food processing, basket making, cloth dying, soap making etc, while men are concentrated in wood work, transport, metal processing and similar occupations. 

Some of the reasons why women are concentrated in certain occupations has to do with their lack of marketable skills other than what they have learned at home and the easy entry into these occupations. 

This gender differentiated segregation of employment has ramification for growth and income (DAI, 2005). 

These segregated occupations have negatively affected the income levels of both male and female making or disadvantaging women in this case and yet they are the most involved people in family responsibilities as compared to men.

Removing barrier for inclusivity

More to this, Gerry (2003), in his analysis of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) affirms that Female entrepreneurs play a prominent role in the economies of developing countries. In Africa, women’s businesses account for more than one-third of all firms and the majority of businesses in the informal economy. 

This brings us to understand that female-owned enterprises produce positive economic and social outcomes, enhancing women’s self-confidence, increasing their participation in household and economic decisions and contributing to their economic empowerment (Sen, 1999).

However, most women in low-income and transition countries have micro- or small enterprises operating mainly in the informal economy and are almost invisible in large and medium enterprises. 

They face multiple obstacles that diminish their opportunities and potential as businesswomen and entrepreneurs. 

They have limited access to education and training, are less likely to be members of business associations, have less freedom to select their business sector, and are subject to discriminatory attitudes in property, marital and inheritance laws(ILO and AfDB, (2007). Many rely on personal savings or on contributions from relatives to fund their enterprises, and without property ownership, they lack collateral to access credit from formal financial institutions (Finnegan, (2003). 

They also face administrative barriers as well as lack of information, which limit business development and hinder graduation from the informal to the formal economy.

Women empowerment is instrumental to end gender –based violent and fight HIV/AIDS

SIDA report 2009 states that Economic empowerment contributes to the reduction of gender-based violence, increases women’s family-planning possibilities and slows the spread of HIV and AIDS. 

Women’s improved economic situation provides opportunities to escape exploitative relationships at home by breaking the economic dependence on a partner that is often at the root of domestic violence. 

Empowerment entails an expansion of women’s choices, including those in the domain of sexual and reproductive health. 

An increase in women’s decision-making power and control over their reproductive health has been found to reduce the number of children in families and slow down the transmission of HIV.

• Swaziland