It is unarguable that while African women have long been regarded as the backbone of African societies, by and large gender parity is still a lofty dream across the continent. Many champions of women’s rights say the battle is far from won.

At the January heads of state summit, the AU decided to add its weight to the fighting gender inequity cause, declaring 2015 as the “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063.”  It is the first time the AU has done so since its formation over a decade ago.

While African women have made considerable gains in the political, economic and social development of the continent, they are still widely marginalised within the corridors of power and when applying for jobs; and continue to face social exclusion, from education to their inability to own land or inherit property.

Issues of child marriage, harmful traditional practices, and gender-based violence also rank highly among the scourges that have held back the progress of most African women.