Pan-African ‌Feminist Perspectives and⁤ Alternatives: A Conversation with ‍Jason Rosario Braganza

Jason Rosario Braganza, AFrodAD Executive Director

Jason‍ Rosario Braganza, Executive Director of AFrodAD (African Debt and Development Forum),⁣ shares his‌ insights ⁣on‌ the importance⁤ of pan-African feminist perspectives and alternatives.

“When we talk about debt ‌and ⁤public finance, we address men directly and women are left aside. Although it‌ is very important ‌to include⁣ women‌ in public‍ management. We often think they ‍don’t know​ anything about ⁢it. Although they⁢ represent more than‍ half of Africa’s population and they ⁤are the ones who hold the stock ​markets of⁤ some African⁤ economies.”

In terms‌ of agricultural production, for⁣ example, women are found throughout the production⁣ chain: from production to marketing⁢ through processing. However, we always ‍think of men. “It is time ⁤for women to reclaim their rightful place in ⁤our African society. They generate wealth and even⁤ create jobs. When calculating the GDP of countries, the productive activities of women​ are not taken into account, although they are, in most cases, ⁣heads⁤ of households and provide education for⁤ their children.”

Furthermore,​ Jason invites women to step⁤ up when it comes to investing. As they also ⁤invest in ‍all sectors of ​human ‍activity, especially in terms​ of maternal health and hygiene. “This‌ is valid for young⁢ women⁤ who face the costs of hygienic products whose costs exceed their budgets. Women⁢ are victims of discriminatory actions in services.”

The overall objective of ⁣this conference, which places women⁤ in an ⁤exchange‍ orbit, is‌ to make men aware of the reality ‍of women.⁢ Women must be considered throughout the ⁢process of‌ development and access to natural and financial⁣ resources, especially access to​ credit. “And when we talk about the public debt, the payment or repayment of debts⁣ that the State incurs⁢ are​ made by the populations and therefore by the women who are ​most affected because they represent more than ‍50% of ‍the population.”

Speaking ⁢about⁤ the‌ effective commitment‌ of men to support women, Jason ‌believes that women suffer too much discrimination. The reason why, in⁣ this current conference, men and⁤ leaders of state and‍ non-state organizations, parliamentarians are‌ participating in⁣ the campaign ⁤to restore the image of​ women: She ‌is the mother of humanity and the foundation of local, national, regional and continental development even. ​”We must therefore make men aware of the ⁣fact that women and ‌men must be an integral part ⁢of ​the ⁣continent’s development process.”

Very often⁢ the⁣ texts that militate in favor of women ‍are developed by men in the absence of ‍women. This has⁤ to change; We ‌must now include women⁤ in the development of texts because we cannot make ​a person happy without their effective participation. She is the person in the best position to speak about her needs for empowerment and claim her rights in‍ terms of economic ⁢and⁢ social justice. Women must be included in decision-making bodies to be able to voice their opinions.