Invisible Toilers: Critical Trends in Women’s Socio-Economic Status in Sub-Saharan Africa

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the socio-economic status of women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The purpose of the study is to assess the potential of women’s human capital in the context of the region’s sustainable growth, as well as to identify the main socio-economic trends related to the changing role of women in the region. The analysis is based on the theoretical and methodological developments of the Gender Research Group of the Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which ensures the comprehensiveness of the approach. In the context of global efforts to achieve sustainable development, gender inequality is of particular relevance and requires closer attention. The article highlights that systematic underestimation of women’s contribution to the economic development of SSA countries leads to missed opportunities for economic growth and deepening social injustice. Special attention is paid to analyzing the complex relationship between the levels of education, acquired competencies, employment opportunities for women, and their impact on the economic development of the region as a whole. The novelty of the study lies in the identification of the relationship between the various socio-economic factors determining the status of women in SSA, as well as in the comparative analysis of the respective socio-gender indicators with those of South Asia, Middle East, and North Africa. This conveys that despite the existing difficulties and challenges, women’s capital in SSA countries not only shows steady growth but also surpasses some gender indicators in South Asia and Middle East and North Africa. This indicates a significant potential for further development and the need to focus on supporting and empowering women in the region and promoting their active participation in building a sustainable future.