Zafar began her presentation with an explanation of the origins of patriarchy and moved on to share astounding figures that illustrate why focusing on economic empowerment of women can change the world. 70% of people living below the poverty line are women. The economic loss to a society that has a lack of women participating in the market is 0.7% of GDP. In both South Asia and the Middle East, female participation in the economy is only half that of male participation. Thus, there is a clear correlation between a society that does not utilize all of its human resources and poverty.

However, this is not only a problem of economics. The most difficult part about empowering women economically is changing a society’s attitudes and perspectives towards women. During her presentation Zafar stated, “Microfinance is simple, but changing mindsets is not.” Therefore, the real challenge to empowering women economically is making both men and women realize the worth of a woman in both social and economic terms. The underlying devaluation of women in some societies continues to be an uphill battle for organizations like the KASHF Foundation, and for our global community as a whole. Hopefully, one day we will reach a global society where equity between women and men is the norm. Thankfully, organizations like Kashf are doing some of the most important work in the world, and leading us in that direction.

Please click the link below to check out the Kashf foundation and all the wonderful work they do!

http://www.kashf.org/site_files/display_content.asp?id=5

In his prepared remarks, Zuma gave an insightful overview of the progress South Africa made since the end of apartheid in 1994, and of the challenges the country still faced. He described “a country of stark contrasts,” in which great wealth existed alongside abject poverty. He spoke of the nation’s “two economies”—one informal, the other formal—and the difficulties of moving between the two for the millions who had little formal schooling under apartheid.

On South Africa’s high HIV/AIDS rate, he said the ANC had a “comprehensive program to tackle AIDS, with specific targets”—a refreshing change from the policies of the recently ousted President Thabo Mbeki.

On the touchy subject of Mbeki, who in September was asked to resign early by the ANC in a move engineered by Zuma’s supporters, Zuma pointed out that, if a sitting president had been asked to resign in most other African countries, a civil war would have exploded. Mbeki’s departure, Zuma declared, was an example of the “maturity of democracy in South Africa.”

I must admit that I went into the talk prepared to dislike Zuma. But as he spoke, Zuma gave the impression of a man who was keenly aware of the challenges he faced, and was both realistic and hopeful about the prospects for change. Interestingly, he made a point of introducing the other ANC leaders in the audience, stressing the “collective” nature of the party. I left with the impression that, despite my personal distaste for aspects of his past, Jacob Zuma could very well prove to be a capable president of South Africa and possibly even a force for change on the continent.