Polygamy is also common in the region. Some men have three, four or five wives, and AIDS often spreads quickly among all of them. Zimbabwe's struggle against gender inequality is indicative of similar problems throughout Africa. Although gender was not a main theme of the Pan African Conference last week, the topic is woven into almost any conversation about the health problems plaguing the continent. We also have to educate men.
Gender is about partnerships.
Obaso is spearheading several new American Red Cross pilot programs in Africa that aim to save the lives of women and children. At the Pan African conference, she spoke to groups about the importance of targeted aid for women and children, and met with African Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders about American interest in developing joint projects with their societies. In addition, the lack of health care for women in Africa means that their lifetime risk of dying from pregnancy-related complications is 1 in 16, compared to 1 in 3,700 in North America. Women do 80 percent of agriculture work in Africa, but they receive 20 percent or less of the earnings in this sector. Women are also the primary caretakers within families, responsible for cooking, cleaning and health care.