Her Fears – insights
Her Fears
Among the greatest fears are losing a loved one (64%), getting very sick (35%), unemployment (17%), failure to achieve her goals in life (19%) as well as not being able to put food on the table (19%).
Losing a loved one
Getting very sick
Not achieving her life goals
Unable to sustain her family
Unemployment
Her Worries
Comparison in Major Worries / Issues 2021, 2022 & 2023
No Data Found
Summary Findings
- Domestic abuse consistently remains a significant concern over the three years surveyed, with a slight decrease from 44% in 2022 to 29% in 2023. Poor economic empowerment also remains a major worry, although it experienced a notable increase from 13% in 2022 to 22% in 2023.
- Concerns related to early marriage and sexual abuse show relatively stable percentages over the three-year period, with early marriage fluctuating slightly between 20% and 22% and sexual abuse ranging from 18% to 19%. Inequality at work shows a gradual increase from 12% in 2021 to 20% in 2023, suggesting a growing concern in this area.
- Barriers to accessing education, social inequality, and other worries remain relatively consistent, with minor fluctuations but no significant changes in overall percentages.
Overall, the data suggests that domestic abuse and poor economic empowerment are persistent and prominent worries among the surveyed population, while issues like early marriage, sexual abuse, and inequality at work also continue to be of concern.
Implications for Development Agencies
For a cause seeking to empower young African women, the implications of the data are as follows:
1.Focus on addressing domestic abuse:
Given the consistently high percentage of domestic abuse as a major worry, the cause should prioritize initiatives and programs aimed at raising awareness, providing support services, and promoting gender equality to combat domestic violence.
2.Economic empowerment programs: With poor economic empowerment being a significant concern, the cause should emphasize initiatives that promote financial independence, entrepreneurship, vocational training, and access to economic opportunities for young African women.
3.Addressing early marriage and sexual abuse: The cause should prioritize efforts to tackle early marriage and sexual abuse, including education and awareness campaigns, legal advocacy, and support systems for survivors.
4.Gender equality at work: Recognizing the increasing concern around inequality at work, the cause should work towards promoting gender equality in the workplace, ensuring fair wages, equal opportunities for career growth, and combating workplace discrimination.
Implications for Government Agencies
1.Policy reforms: Governments should develop and enforce laws and policies that protect the rights of young women, such as legislation against domestic abuse, child marriage, and sexual abuse. They should also promote equal access to education and economic opportunities.
2.Support services: Government agencies should allocate resources to provide support services for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, including counseling, shelters, and legal aid.
3.Education initiatives: Governments should invest in educational initiatives that address barriers to accessing education, promote gender equality in schools, and empower young women through quality education and skills development.
Implications for Commercial Entities
1.Corporate social responsibility: Brands and commercial entities can contribute to empowering young African women by incorporating social responsibility initiatives into their business strategies. This can involve partnering with NGOs or local organizations working towards women’s empowerment, supporting education programs, and providing economic opportunities for young women.
2.Skill-building and employment: Brands can create initiatives that provide skill-building programs, internships, and job opportunities specifically targeted at young women. This can help them gain economic independence and break barriers to entry in the workforce.
3.Awareness and advocacy: Brands can use their platforms to raise awareness about the issues faced by young African women, challenge stereotypes, and promote positive narratives. They can leverage their marketing and advertising campaigns to promote gender equality and empowerment.