A discussion on the effectiveness of women empowerment and how it influences economic development in Namibia.
Introduction
The effectiveness of women empowerment is a topic that has been addressed by many people as something that has influenced economic development in the Northern part of Namibia. UN women is an organisation that’s main objective is to enhance gender equality and strives to ensure the empowerment of women worldwide in all sectors of life. According to UN women, women empowerment is encouraging women to play an active role in economic life across all sectors so as to build stronger and better economies, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, men, family and communities (2010). Women empowerment has nothing to do with disrespecting or degrading the male gender but instead strives to bring about gender equality. According to Annan, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women (2005). Women empowerment has played a role in economic development. However, after its independence on the 21st march 1990 known as the best democratic institution in Africa. Looking past this statement, the economic, political, and social rights of most traditional communities are centred on male dominance. Woman empowerment is encouraging women to play an active role in economic life across all sectors as to build stronger economics, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for women, men, families and communities. Women empowerment and economic growth work hand in hand in driving down or reducing inequality.
Income poverty
Women empowerment is likely to reduce income poverty. Income poverty in economic terms is when a family’s income is unable to meet a federally established threshold that differs across countries. Sometimes, the money earned by the male member of the family is not sufficient to meet the demands of the family. (Woytek, K.E & Newaik, M 2013) The added money of women helps the family to come out of poverty trap. Therefore, families are unable to acquire there needs and wants or have very low standards of living. Income poverty has a negative effect on the country’s economic potential due to the fact that poor people are unable to purchase as many goods and services as people with more income can. As a result, reducing aggregate demand in the economy. The loss of the amount of money in circulation causes economies to increase on exports and have low imports and gives way to economies borrowing money from other economies. When income poverty is reduced it is easier for families to increase their standards of living whilst also increasing aggregate demand.
The effectiveness of involving women in labour
Secondly, if women develop their full labour market potential, there can be significant economic gains. Through the employment of women on an equal basis wold allow companies to make better use of the available talent with potential growth implications (Barsh and Yee 2012, CAHRS 2011) while not uncontroversial there is evidence of a positive impact of women’s presence on boards and in senior management on companies’ performance.(Woytek, K.E & Newaik, M2013) Companies employing female managers could be better positioned to save consumer markets dominated by women (CED 2012, CHARS 2011) and more gender diverse boards could enhance corporate governance by offering a wider range of perspectives (OECD 2012, Lord Davis 2013). Moreover, a large share of women in decision taking positions could reduce the share of high risk financial transitions that are normally conducted my male traders (Coates and Herbert 2008).The Gender and economic growth (Braunstein 2011, pp54-67) comments that when women work is transferred from the household to the labour market it brings a lot of advantages because what women do in their homes (unpaid effort) can be done more cheaply in work outside (paid work). Unlike men, women have a capability of multitasking. Therefore, gets work done faster and gives room for more work to be done.
The advantage of women handling finances
Women earning and controlling income could contribute to broader economic development in developing countries, for instance through higher levels of school enrolment for girls. In most instances, women are more likely to invest a large proportion of their household income in the education of their children. According to the ILO, women’s work, both paid and unpaid, maybe the single most important poverty reducing factor in developing countries (Heintz 2006) accordingly, higher FLFP and greater earnings by women could result in higher expenditure on school enrolment for children including girl, potentially triggering a virtuous cycle, when educated women become female role models (Aguirre and others 2012, Miller 2008). Stotsky (2006) posits that women’s relative lack of opportunities in developing countries inhibits economic growth while at the same time economic growth lads to improvements in their disadvantaged conditions.
The role of women empowerment in relation to domestic violence
In addition, women empowerment leads to a decrease in domestic violence. Domestic violence is defined as an assault, threat or intimidation by a male partner (Abbott & Johnson, 1995). Uneducated women are at a higher risk to domestic violence than educated women because in most cases uneducated women do not know their rights hence they cannot stand for themselves and are taken advantage of. Domestic violence can be both emotional or physical abuse causing inferiority and low mental and physical standards. Domestic violence can reduce the ability of women working efficiently. Women empowerment strives to ensure equality amongst both genders. Moreover, by equalising genders women empowerment, women begin to use their skills and talents which in turn plays a role in economic development because the human capital available in the market is being utilised.
Women empowerment leads to freedom of choice and decisions.
Before its independence till date women are still struggling to make choices, decision making and participate in affairs that concern them as citizens of the country due to the fact that when a young girl child is growing up they are taught not contradict or share their views when making decisions and live it to the male gender that they feel is the more superior being in terms of intellect and physical skills. Consequently, it leads to women not being active in political, economic and social issues of the country at large. Both men and women have different ideas and ways of facing situations and challenges and if these ideas are put together its beneficial to both genders, their families and the communities they live in.
In conclusion
In conclusion, women empowerment is very vital for economic development. Gender equality allows the freedom of women to fully express themselves which allows the flow of ideas and finally giving way for every citizen to fully express themselves and raise the standards of living of their households and the country. By giving women the freedom to participate in decision making and labour, income poverty is reduced and also allows partners in a home to bring fair shares of income. Furthermore, as the income in the home increases it easier for the family to acquire goods and services in the market which turn increases Gross domestic product in the country’s economy and ensures their children get educated hence also contributing greatly to development in to country.