Indicators for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Social Norms

Abstract

Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) speaks directly to at least four of the 2030 SDGs: gender equality; no poverty; decent work and economic growth; and reduced inequalities (United Nations Statistics Division). Few studies have exclusively studied the role of social norms in connection with WEE, despite the tacit acknowledgement among scholars of its potency in delivering or hindering WEE. This Paper highlights the pivotal role those social norms play in the fight for the economic empowerment of women and proposes that transformation of social and gender norms is foundational to achieving WEE. It specifically addresses the way social norms represent subtle power dynamics within the communities which may either facilitate or undermine efforts to attaining WEE. The Paper provides an elaboration of this theme, using three broad indicators: access to gainful employment opportunities; property ownership rights; and economic leadership and strength of collaborative action. Literature reviewed found that Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is lagging significantly in these three areas, with the most potent hindrance being traditional social norms. Leaning on statistics provided by relevant bodies, particularly the United Nations Women, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the World Bank, with a contextualization to SSA, it argues that program and policy interventions must be designed with the lens of gender and social norms squarely in place in order to ensure that effective, sustainable strategic actions are taken. The role of different players, including the community, government, and international institutions in advancing WEE in these three areas is also brought into view.