The Goal of Africa
Africa has endured an excessive amount of strife throughout its existence, but there is a positive future for Africa. The video above describes this hope as narrated by the youth of Africa.
There are many different goals for Africa, as their problems are great in number. These goals can be best divided into categories: Improvement of the Standard of Living, Health, Gender Equality, Education, and Global Presence.
There are many different goals for Africa, as their problems are great in number. These goals can be best divided into categories: Improvement of the Standard of Living, Health, Gender Equality, Education, and Global Presence.
Improvement of the Standard of Living
|
As much of Africa, West Africa is one of the most poor countries in the world. 47% of the people in West Africa make only enough money to have $1.25 per day. Though this statistic seems horrible, conditions are improving. About one in three Africans are classified as middle class. Furthermore, though Africa has many poor people, "6 out of the 10 fastest growing economies in the world are African." The economy is not the only thing in Africa that is growing. The use of technology is also improving. A statistic from 2013 shows that 80% of African people can access a cell phone (Kelland).
However, there still a lot of improvement for the African people. In 2005 the World Summit gathered many of the world leaders together. It was declared at the World Summit that there could be no lasting improvement in the living conditions without peace. IT was stated that "'peace and security, development and human rights are the pillars of the United Nations system and the foundations for collective security and well-being. We recognize that development, peace and security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing."' The Millennium Declaration lists these goals (Ayissi). |
Health
In Africa, there are many health issues, including HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, malaria, and of course ebola. Though it has been a long struggle for Africa, steps are being taken to improve the health in Africa. There is now expanded access to anti-retroviral drugs for those with HIV/AIDS. African countries have set aside 15% in the national budget for health improvement.
Infant mortality has improved as well. In 1990, from every 1000 births, 184 children under five years died. The number dropped in 2006 to 157. The number of measles-related deaths fell by approximately 75% from 1999 and 2006. This has led to the conclusion that without an improvement in health services, the rate of infant mortality won't fall. Only 47% of births in 2006 were attended by an assistant. Another large part of the West African health problems is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, the HIV/AIDS situation is improving in West Africa. The number of women in West Africa who receive the anti-retroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS have increased from 21% to 30%. Though these drugs have decreased the number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, they are not always used or available. There is a shortage of anti-retroviral drugs and unless taken with food, some side effects occur, including nausea and vomiting. Malaria is the leading cause of death of children and pregnant women in most of Africa. The number of children who received medication for malaria has dropped in West Africa from 41% to 34%. However, UNICEF and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria have increased the number of bednets they distribute. Hopefully this will lead to decrease in malaria related deaths (United Nations). |
Gender Equality
|
In much of Africa, gender equality is still a prominent problem. The video to the right describes how Africa needs to change in its view of women and the role they can play in Africa. It is a very informative and interesting video, as it is in the viewpoint of actual West African women.
Another interesting resource about this subject is the Gender, ICT and Millennium Development Goals for Sustainable Development in West Africa. West Africa has the worst gap between the number of girls and boys enrolled in primary school--9 girls for every 10 boys. However, the percentage of women working in a non-agricultural job has increased from 31% in 2005 to 25% in 1990. Women also represent 17% of parliaments in West Africa (United Nations). |
Education
Global Presence
West African militaries and U.S. forces participate in opening ceremonies for exercise WA 14
by US Army Africa, used under |
The first step to West Africa becoming a global presence, and achieving its other goals, is peace. Even the West African countries acknowledge that the instability of a country influences their progress on the Millennium Development Goals. There is also another document for the Millennium Development Goals for all of Africa. Half of West Africa is either in conflict or recovering from a past conflict. This as well as the other issues throughout West Africa keep it from being an important global presence. If the previous goals can be achieved, West Africa, and all of Africa, could become a strong and influential country (United Nations).
|
References
Ayissi, Anatole. (2008). Peace, Security and the Millennium Development Goals in West Africa. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Publications/Detail/?ots591=0c54e3b3-1e9c-be1e-2c24-a6a8c7060233&lng=en&id=106266
Kelland, Z. (2014, October 2). Africans are all poor and 15 other myths. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/africans-are-all-poor-and-15-other-myths/
United Nations. (2008, September 22). Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://www.unis.unvienna.org/pdf/MDG_Africa_backgrounder.pdf
Photo used under Creative Commons by Eduardo Fonseca Arraes.
Kelland, Z. (2014, October 2). Africans are all poor and 15 other myths. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/africans-are-all-poor-and-15-other-myths/
United Nations. (2008, September 22). Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://www.unis.unvienna.org/pdf/MDG_Africa_backgrounder.pdf
Photo used under Creative Commons by Eduardo Fonseca Arraes.