Recent data from the third General Population and Housing Census (RGPH3) indicate a high proportion of women in Madagascar: 13 million women ouf of 25 million inhabitants.

However, despite some progress made, women and girls do not fully enjoy their rights, particularly in health, education, and socio-economic integration. According to the 2018 MICS, 37.7% of women have been victims of physical or sexual violence nationwide. Violence undermines the capacity of women and girls to flourish and limits their effective participation in achieving Madagascar’s sustainable development.

Currently, we are living in an unparalleled time with the Covid-19. Men and women experience the impacts of Covid-19 differently. The economic impact of the pandemic leads to increased violence, sexual exploitation and child marriage. These facts particularly exacerbate the vulnerability of women and girls.

In Madagascar's Grand South, the 2019-2020 agricultural season has been hardly hit by extended drought, the most pronounced in the last decade. Dryness and water inaccessibility have had an acute impact on the daily lives of Malagasy women and has further fostered inequalities between women and men.

The consequences of the drought itself, compounded by the negative effects of lockdown measures and insecurity in some parts of the Grand South, have made the humanitarian situation critical. Women are the most vulnerable: many face challenges in providing for their children, or even their entire families. They deserve much more consideration and should not feel alone and abandoned while carrying these burdens. 

It is imperative to reduce these inequalities, to help women and girls in Madagascar to be more resilient in this Covid-19 context, to rise up and achieve gender equality by making them self-reliant.

Such empowerment is an essential condition for their full participation in socio-economic development.

In this month of celebration of women's history and the claim for their rights, let us defend the rights of women to make them autonomous and resilient in a safe environment, conducive to the sustainable development of Madagascar and to an egalitarian future. Let us celebrate these women who dare to break down barriers and stereotypes because they are the pioneers in inspiring and triggering change.

Let us join   the UN Secretary-General's statement that “calls on countries, businesses, and institutions to adopt measures and quotas that promote women's participation on an equal footing with men and make a rapid difference.

In post-pandemic recovery, support measures and recovery plans must specifically target women and girls. In particular, it will be necessary to invest in women-owned enterprises and the care economy (...) It is time to build a future of equality. It is everyone's business and for the benefit of all humanity.”

The United Nations system in Madagascar reiterates its commitment to supporting the country in this struggle. The fight goes on, and while we are continuing to respond to the pandemic in 2021, we need to think about building back better!

By Issa Sanogo, Resident Coordinator, United Nations Madagascar