Luanda - Angola is in the process of approving the second Food and Nutritional Security Strategy (ENSAN II 2030), in alignment with the National Development Program (PDN 2023-2027), the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança, announced this Friday da Costa.
Esperança da Costa, who was speaking at the opening of the Regional Conference of the International Democratic Federation of Women (FDIM), highlighted that reforms are underway to diversify the economy, prioritizing the transformation of food systems and integrating the Informal Economy Reconversion Program (PREI).
On the occasion, she defended the training of women and the introduction of mechanization to reduce inequalities and discrimination.
In her intervention, the Vice-President of the Republic stated that the resilience of food systems associated with women's participation is today a major challenge in terms of food and nutritional security and fundamental rights, drawing attention to the particular condition of rural women in several regions of the world.
In this way, she defended measures such as their training, access to technology and the introduction of mechanization to reduce inequalities and discrimination, with the aim of making women and girls active participants in rural development.
The central role of women in achieving national objectives
Esperança da Costa stated that Angola seeks industrial and digital transformation with a view to achieving national and sustainable development objectives, a process in which Angolan women have played a central role.
With this, she highlighted that their commitment is essential so that they do not let themselves be left behind.
“In Angola, we have made progress on issues relating to women's political empowerment and gender equality, with more than 40% of women in the highest management and leadership positions in the Government, Parliament and companies”, he recalled, having emphasized that all Issues related to these aspects are supported by instruments and strategies approved by the Executive.
Angola, continued Esperança da Costa, plans to increase, by 2027, at least 30% of women in the field of scientific research, without forgetting financial inclusion, with the promotion of entrepreneurship being one of the most important goals of the Executive.
“In view of this, we have invested in expanding the school network and raising awareness among families to combat harmful cultural practices, reduce early pregnancy and prevent school dropouts, relying on the Girls Empowerment and Learning for All Project (PAT II), which aims to improve access to health services and information”, he stated.
Through this program, she said, it aims to reach 300,000 beneficiaries, giving teenagers a second chance and thereby allowing them to complete their education, acquire skills and have a new perspective on life.
Outstanding female role in the anti-colonial struggle of African peoples
Still in her speech, Esperança da Costa considered the path to the elimination of all forms of discrimination, protection of children and girls, the moralization of youth, the empowerment of women, “irreversible”, although it is not always easy.
The Vice President took advantage of the occasion to highlight the female role, since the beginning of the anti-colonial struggle, in the national liberation movements of several African countries, in which countless women took up weapons, fought and gave their lives in the fighting so that we could be here today.
“Women's struggle also meant giving up individual dreams and desires, in favor of the collective future. It is important to highlight the anonymous side of the heroines of all times, warriors whose names have indelibly marked our recent history, for the bravery with which they gave themselves for the liberation of our countries,” she said.
Status of women's empowerment in Africa
Africa's performance in increasing the proportion of women in politics and decision-making has been remarkable, making it the third most advanced continent in terms of women's participation in national parliaments and political decision-making bodies.
However, despite the African Union's 50:50 parity campaign, only Rwanda has reached and exceeded this target.
The regional average for the share of seats in parliament is 22.4% for women and 77.6% for men, with a slightly lower average in relation to the share of ministerial positions held by women.
Angola occupies eighth place in the ranking of African countries with the highest number of women in Parliament, below Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, Ethiopia and Cabo Verde, according to data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIP).
The number of women with seats in the National Assembly of Angola (AN) grew from the fourth to the fifth legislature, from 26% to 37.7%, respectively.
In addition to occupying eighth place in the African ranking, Angola also takes 32nd place in the global ranking.
The International Democratic Federation of Women (FDIM) was founded in Paris, France, on December 1, 1945, with the fundamental objectives of bringing together female and feminist organizations from all over the world, without distinction of nationality, religious dependence, ethnicity or political opinion, with a view to achieving and defending equal rights for women, combating all forms of discrimination against women, defending children's rights, as well as peace, democracy, social justice, freedom and self-determination.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is made up of 16 Member States, namely Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. FMA/SC/DOJ
