The Role of Gender in Promoting Textile Products in Africa for Sustainable Development

The textile industry for centuries has been an important sector that has contributed to Africa's development. Its ability to promote cultural and economic growth has been felt significantly in the continent and the diaspora. Textile products obtained through indigenous and contemporary African processes find application in several domains such as cultural ceremonies, interior designs, international trades, and fashion among others. An effective promotion and preservation of these products has the potential for sustainable development. The role of gender in promoting these textile products remains a crucial yet often overlooked aspect. While each gender has the potential to contribute to the advancement of the textile industry, addressing gender disparities would clearly define the individual role played by each gender in sustainable development. The need to juxtapose gender with textile production and promotion in Africa for sustainable development becomes crucial. Through a modified integrative review approach, this chapter will focus on the various roles played by each gender, especially females in advancing the textile industry in Africa. Findings indicate that the textile industry in Africa plays a crucial role in cultural and economic development, offering the potential for sustainable growth. Also, while women perform a significant role in traditional textile production methods, including spinning, weaving, dyeing, and embroidery, men hold technical positions, such as dyeing and running machinery for a collective improvement of the African textile industry. Promoting gender equality is therefore encouraged for sustainable development in Africa through textile production.