Management of the age and the gender disparity in developing Africa under the auspices of the African renaissance

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to interrogate how much has Africa lacked behind with its African renaissance project through side-lining the female gender and the below forty youth demography in that endeavour. The paper is both conceptual and empirical in nature. Interviewing techniques and document study were used to collect data from the six initially excluded female youths to the propagation of the African renaissance who are also currently below forty in age. Research findings reveal that firstly, patriarchy is behind the exclusion of females in many projects undertaken in the continent of Africa. Secondly, failure by Africa to be gender-bias in favour of the females, perpetuates the costly and the unacceptable existing exclusion on the basis of gender and age. Thirdly, inappropriate socialisation of both genders, is behind the oppression of one gender by the other and by the society. Fourthly, the learnt obstructionism attitude by the male gender against the female one, contributes to the portrayal of the latter as being unfit to lead in the advocacy and propagation of the African renaissance project. Lastly, stereotyping over the youth and the female gender, delays involving them fully in the re-awakening or renaissance of this continent. As part of the conclusion, the researcher recommends for the re-looking of the up-bringing of all the gender groups and judging the contribution of a person by his or her age. In addition, the researcher recommends for the reversal of the traditional gender dichotomy between the male and the female in terms of improving this continent and the oppression of the younger generation by its elders. Lastly, the researcher recommends for the capacitation of the below forty female youths, to enable them to bring Africa to the limelight of recognition in global affairs.

Keywords: Gender-bias, Gender-exclusion, Generational-oppression, Obstructionism, Patriarchy, Socialisation