policy-briefing-260-lewis-ca7628166dad736e.pdf

This policy briefing argues that while gender equity is recognized in international and regional frameworks, women in Africa still face systemic social, economic, and political barriers that hinder their equitable participation in the 'restoration economy'—the economic activity related to ecological restoration. The author contends that empowering women requires a multi-dimensional approach involving action-oriented decision-making, systemic legal reforms, and improved financial inclusion to move women beyond roles as mere providers of labor to active entrepreneurs and decision-makers across the restoration value chain.

• Women in Africa continue to face discrimination and gender inequality despite the existence of numerous policy and legal frameworks that enshrine gender equity.
• The restoration economy—defined as economic activity relating to ecological restoration—offers benefits such as job creation in rural areas, national economic growth, and the development of skills and social networks.
• Women are frequently under-represented or serve as token participants in decision-making processes within the restoration economy, often due to patriarchal social and cultural norms in rural African settings.
• A significant barrier to women's entrepreneurship in the restoration economy is the lack of asset ownership, as customary and patriarchal systems often leave land and homes in the hands of men, which banks require as collateral for loans.
• Financial inclusion for women in sub-Saharan Africa remains low; a 2017 World Bank report indicated that only 37% of women in the region possessed a bank account.
• The author recommends systemic reforms to address gender imbalances, including reforming customary laws regarding inheritance and land titling, adopting alternative sources of collateral for credit, and investing in women's education to help them understand their rights and economic opportunities.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-briefing-260-lewis-ca7628166dad736e.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Policy-Briefing-260-lewis.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-briefing-260-lewis-ca7628166dad736e.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Policy-Briefing-260-lewis.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-briefing-260-lewis-ca7628166dad736e.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Policy-Briefing-260-lewis.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicybriefing260lewisca7628166dad736epdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-briefing-260-lewis-ca7628166dad736e.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Policy-Briefing-260-lewis.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }