World

Women Must be at the Centre of Africas Transformative Free Trade Area — Global Issues


  • by Kingsley Ighobor (United Nation)
  • Joint press service

In an interview with Kingsley Ighobor of Africa Renewal, Amb. Joyini discusses her job and career path.

Excerpt from the interview:

What has been your journey to this role?

This place is a hub for global governance and I think it provides an interesting space for any Permanent Representative to join to advance their country’s interest and foster cooperation between the country. their own and other countries.

My journey has been an interesting one. It started when I worked in social welfare. And I always go back there because it makes me understand people’s needs on an individual level, a community level, etc.

Social work helps me understand people’s needs around poverty, health — you solve all of these issues in that space. Now, as I look at the sustainability goals and what we’re trying to achieve, I pay my respects to the social workers out there.

In addition, I have spent a lot of time in the private sector, which helps me understand the intersection between business and society; How does a business make a profit but to what extent are they making a profit and at the same time helping to build their community and society?

Once again, when you come here, you realize that there is a need to focus on responsible and sustainable economic development. You must address issues around finance, sustainable finance, development financing and the need for the private sector to be involved in the development process.

Of course, there is my journey in the Department of International Cooperation and Relations, more than 20 years in various positions at all levels, where I understand more about our country’s foreign policy and international relations.

I have always said that democratic South Africa has had a good foreign policy – its focus and consistency over the years.

I can give you some highlights. I will start with human rights. As you know, in 2021 we celebrate our 20th anniversary Durban Declaration and Agenda, which is a landmark anti-discrimination framework. South Africa was charged with preparing for that celebration and facilitating the development of a political statement.

We have been assigned that role together with Portugal and I must commend Ambassador Francisco António Duarte Lopes of Portugal as we have managed to put on the table a political statement that has been successfully adopted inside. the margins of the United Nations General Assembly Summit Week in September 2021 .

Second, on peace and security, South Africa and the United Nations Office of Support for Peace Building hosted a webinar and initiated a dialogue on how the private sector can contribute to peacebuilding. I have to tell you it was an interesting webinar.

We looked at how we could provide resources to build peace. We believe that the private sector that benefits from a stable and peaceful society should contribute to the building of peace. And what happened was that the private sector was willing to make such a contribution. So we hope to come up with a strategy for private sector engagement.

Third, there are issues that we will always be concerned with. These are not just issues of 2022, but issues that will always be a priority for South Africa because of our history. One of those priorities is our solidarity with those who Palestine and the people of Western Sahara. We also have the African Union Agenda 2063, which is aligned with the SDGs and now includes a post-COVID-19 recovery agenda.

Fourth, we are known for gender equality and women’s empowerment. In 2022 and 2023 South Africa will be the President of Commission on the status of women (CSW). We are chairing on behalf of the Africa Group and we want to make sure that we promote the implementation of the agreed conclusions.

Speaking of gender equality, you are one of the few female UN Permanent Representatives in New York. Why do you think so?

Governments have a primary responsibility for promoting gender equality; they need to be reminded at the beginning of the conversation. That is not necessarily always the case. When women take up leadership positions in the public space, they are likely to promote other women. I can say that in my case. But again, I represent my President, who is a strong advocate of gender equality.

Gender equality is a huge priority at UN headquarters. Is that the case in Africa?

I think so. I know that. Many of the African Union’s tools focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment. In fact, the AU may be ahead of many other regional bodies in thinking through issues related to gender equality. If you look at the number of AU protocols and tools, you’ll see that gender equality is a top priority for our leaders. But there’s a lot of work to be done in terms of implementation.

This year’s CSW is a hybrid event – both a live event and a virtual event. What should African women expect from it?

They should expect two baskets of results. The first basket is the official basket, which is what CSW is there for. Every year, we review how well we’re doing Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and then make recommendations to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. This year, it will take place against the backdrop of climate change.

So, CSW looks at women’s life experiences. You and I both know that the effects of climate change affect women disproportionately. And so, in their agreed conclusions, Member States will make recommendations to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the context of climate change.

Therefore, African women should expect that their needs and their challenges are being addressed through agreed conclusions. We need to realize not only how damaging the effects of climate change are on women, but also to what extent do women participate in mitigation and adaptation activities? Are they funded? Are they engaged yet?

The second basket is the CSW space, where civil society and the United Nations system, including Member States, engaged to address issues related to. It is fertile ground for learning from each other, sharing experiences and creating knowledge.

So our sisters and mothers in Africa can look forward to learning and exchanging ideas; they will hear how Zimbabwean women, for example, are addressing their challenges, or what women in Pakistan and other parts of the world are doing.

What impact will virtual events have on the outcome?

Women can learn not necessarily by coming here. The recent experience of CSW shows that they learn very well on the virtual platform. In fact, most people would say that virtual platforms allow more women to access.

Those who can’t afford to board the plane to New York can log in and exchange experiences with others. So we’ll have to be nimble in creating those foundations: the way you design your themes, the learning spaces, and the conversations that take place.

What is your view on how women can take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is perhaps Africa’s biggest project today?

Of course, AfCFTA is the biggest project. And it is a transformation. Creating that market of 1.3 billion consumers, you can imagine what it will do for our manufacturing sector, for commerce, for agriculture, etc. Within the scope of the free trade agreement will be To transform the continent economically, women need to be a part of it, if not the center of it.

We often talk about the economic and financial inclusion of women. If you entered any market right now in Africa, most of the informal traders would be women. We need to start thinking creatively about how to include them in ways that enhance their socioeconomic well-being.

When we chaired the AU, our President became a true champion of women’s economic and financial inclusion. Take for example shopping. If I have two suppliers with equal qualifications and one of them is a woman, I will give the opportunity to the female supplier.

Therefore, we need to consider in the free trade area in capacity building and creating opportunities for women. We need to put in place policies and programs that support women-led small, medium and large enterprises.

I must mention SheTrades initiated by the International Trade Center and is helping to connect African women entrepreneurs to the market. Such programs are very useful.

Finally, what message do you want to send to the people of Africa, especially women?

We are on a continent with a bright future. Studies show that future economic growth will be in Africa. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, six of the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies were in Africa. It’s about how we organize ourselves for post-pandemic recovery. And that is being coordinated very well by the continent right now.

If you look at the various initiatives that have been launched by the continent to coordinate our recovery and our preparedness for future pandemics, you become hopeful.

We have all the frameworks, all the policies, all the opportunities. What we’re asking now is to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Source: Innovation Africa, United Nations, March 2022

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© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service





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