IWD 2021: AFRIMA advocates for better pay for women

Today, Monday, March 8, as the world celebrates the United Nations International Women’s Day 2021 (IWD 2021) themed “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 World”, the All African Music Awards, AFRIMA, is advocating for African culture industry reforms and reengineering in ways that would close the gender wage gap in the labour market.

This formed part of the IWD 2021 statements by Music Executive and Member of the International Jury of AFRIMA for the Diaspora in North Africa, Ms. Hadja Kobele Keita and President & Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada.

Ms. Keita, who gave credit to women entrepreneurs shattering the glass ceiling in the music industry, affirmed that:

“At the very inception of the African music industry culture, women had always been at the forefront. However, we are grossly underpaid and underrepresented. In order to break barriers, women are creating their own path in the industry by starting their own companies and taking on more executive roles. It’s delicate but, for us to be heard in an industry overpowered by traditional norms, it is a significant step forward. What gives me hope for the future of women, particularly in the African music industry, is the fact that we have organizations like AFRIMA that are committed to pushing the agenda of empowering women in a society that tries to suppress our creativity”, Ms. Keita stated.

Giving reassurances of the awards’ commitment to being a contributor to sustainable and impactful conversations that push for an integrated and a peaceful continent as well as for socio-economic growth for all Africans, equality for women and ending the violence against women, Mr. Mike Dada said.

“The IWD 2021 #ChoosetoChallenge campaign is complementary to one of our awards objective of retelling the story of Africa from the perspective of our unique cultural heritage and creativity. AFRIMA emphasizes the importance of fair representation and women constitute an integral and important part of that. The fight for equality is our fight, and everyone’s fight”.

“We welcome opportunities to lend our voice to conversations that inspire change as well as collaborations with the private and public sector in pushing these conversations to mainstream discussions among the youth generation who constitute the largest population in Africa and who will carry on the legacy of an equitable world”, Mr. Dada concluded.

IWD 2021 and the offshoot #ChooseToChallenge campaign turn the spotlight on the tremendous efforts by women and girls around the world in creating and sustaining the fight against COVID-19, their roles in shaping an equal future in the recovery from the pandemic, while highlighting the underlying structural gender gaps that still exist.

The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, is an innovative awards platform that rewards excellence in the African music industry and showcases the cultural and entertainment uniqueness of Africa to the rest of the world.

Part of the awards’ Corporate Social Responsibility initiative campaigns geared towards promoting girl child empowerment for leadership roles through education have held in countries such as The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria. The continental awards project has also partnered with global advocacy institutions such as the ONE Campaign to promote and support female empowerment efforts.