Blog # 6 Africa: Gender Gap Holds Back Africa's Women Farmers - Policies to eliminate inequality, Chelsie Stinson, 3/22/14 1:58 a.m

Summary

         African women farmers make up a significant portion of the agricultural workers in Africa but yet face lower productivity outcomes from their farms in comparison to their male competition. Ethiopia, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda were six of the countries that were used in a report that observed the extreme differences in male and female farmer production and why these differences occurred. This gender gap issue has brought attention to women’s land rights being secured and women’s accessibility to have hired labor as a means to narrow the gap. The story goes on to share how two-thirds of Africa’s citizens livelihood rely on farming and that if women were given equal resources to advance in their farm productivity, how much of a impact it would leave on so many millions of people who go hungry every day.  Other points that have been made pertaining to the solution of the gender gap has been related to government getting involved to invest in agriculture, more specifically its’ women farmers, by looking at key policies that will effectively improve their work ethic such as but not limited to: providing training to women’s need, enhancing women’s use of equipment to reduce amount of labor work on their farm, providing community based-child care centers, encouraging women to use high quality fertilizers, and developing better educational levels in female farmers.

Analysis

               This gender gap has not only caused discrepancies among female farmers of Africa but has been a general pattern across the world as women have not been provided with equal access to resources like male farmers, which puts them at a disadvantage. But Africa in particular is facing direct impact to families from this form of inequality as it affects the family’s household income potentials, the amount of food that is produced to feed growing families, and creates an injustice to the women of the families.  I have to agree with the statement that was made how this issue really hinders the economic growth & food security of the continent as well as employment/business opportunities that could arise for the youth population entering the job sector.  As mentioned before, this problem is not just one affecting Africa but other countries around the world as well and if the governments of these countries, especially Africa’s, don’t step up and consider the key policies towards necessary improvements then they could eventually see detrimental backfires on their stubborn decisions to ignore the larger issue that is at stake. 

Published: March 18th, 2014

Source:  http://allafrica.com/stories/201403191389.html

Blog #5: Doctor's Say 'Keep Focus' on Fighting Malaria in Africa

Summary: Malaria has been a very vast spreading and overwhelming issue in many parts of the African continent. There are still 184 million people in Africa living with this disease and fighting it's symptoms. Doctors' say that there is still so much to be done with this disease, especially in the high risk areas. It's the malaria parasite that is harnessed in young children that is spreading this lethal disease around, which leaves children most at risk before their immunity to the parasite builds up. Not all children will end up with malaria, but it gives a good depiction of how vast the disease is and how easily it can infect a village. To make the case even worse, drugs and insecticide used to prevent the disease from spreading has now gained resistance. Putting doctors at the edge of their seats to find more ways to cure the Malaria disease. We need to remember the malaria situation! Keep taking new strides, always pressing forward, and not taking our foot off the gas.

Analysis: This disease has been known to the public for years and it is something people are beginning to lose interest in. People all over the world are still dying from this terrible disease that has destroying hundreds of lives and villages. According to BBC News, 627,000 people die from malaria each year. It's those kind of numbers that make you question what kind of living produces such a terrible disease. Infiltrated water, not washing your hands before a meal, eating unwashed foods or foods infected by insects. The list of issues is endless and it makes the reality of the situation that much harder to wrap your head around. Don't get me wrong there have been several strides and effort put towards curing and helping the people most effected by the disease. Organizations have donated material and relief efforts have been astounding. However, the disease is changing and gaining resistance, it's time for new action to take place. Solutions like insecticide treated nets and chemo prevention still help, but can only be of use for so long. It's time for our world to wake up and help the devastated countries affected by this disease. Let's put a stop to the devastation and start the innovation of new and more efficient ways to end this disease for good!

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26257876

Blog 2 sub-Sahara maternal deaths

Research shows that sub-Sahara Africa has the highest percentage of maternal deaths.  UNFPA or African Union and the Nations Population Fund say that women’s suffer from severe bleeding after childbirth, infections, and high blood pressure. Another cause of women’s deaths is unsafe abortions. A recent study done by “The Lancet” (medical journal) concludes that woman in sub-Sahara Africa are nearly 100 times more likely to die of pregnancy issues then a woman in a wealthy country. This isn’t even the worst part of it all. According to African Union Commissioner of Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Kaloko says that most if not all maternal deaths in African could have been avoided by using practices and interventions already in existence.

            However not all hope is lost. CARMMA or Campaign for Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa has made a pledge to improve and expand reproductive health services in Africa. And help them achieve a higher Millennium Development Goal their hoping to achieve this by 2015 or hopefully sooner. CARMMA primarily plans to help and tech women what to do and how to stay healthy. But they also believe that men should be educated in the same subject. UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin “So we must talk to men because they are the ones who are causing all these problems.” Women in Africa have a hard life and I’m happy to see that there are good hearted people ready to help them. Hopefully soon we will see their actions payoff.

 

http://www.globalissues.org/news/2013/01/27/15737

 

Dalila Aguilar, 02/06/2013, 6:20 PM

Sociology 202-05, Spring 2013