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‘African women not free from discrimination’

Africans’ support for women’s equality on the continent is widespread and growing, but the day-to-day reality for many women remains characterised by disadvantage and discrimination.  

While most African governments generally score good marks for their performance in empowering women, the battle for equal rights and opportunities for women is far from won, especially for women in North Africa.

One serious concern is that women are less likely to be actively involved in the development process.

Not only are they less likely to be registered to vote and to be voted for in an election as their male counterparts, but they are also significantly less likely to report that they have contacted leaders and engaged in other forms of participation.

 

Fear of political intimidation 

Furthermore, women are also more likely to be afraid of becoming victims of political intimidation or violence more than men in countries where fear of political intimidation and violence  among both men and women is very high.

The findings, published  in the report "Support for African Women's Equality Rises: Education, jobs and political participation still unequal", revealed that women were at a marked disadvantage compared to men in their daily lives in spite of significant progress made by governments and civil society.

 

Key findings

Key findings of the report indicate that nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of women in 34 countries, including Botswana, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, say women should have the same rights as men rather than being subjected to traditional law. In 15 countries, where Afrobarometer has asked about equal rights since 2002, support for equality has increased  from 68 per cent in 2002 to 73 per cent in 2012.

Similarly, 68 per cent believe women are as capable as men of being political leaders, including 74 per cent of East Africans, but just 50 per cent of North Africans.

Yet, across 34 countries, 26 per cent of women reportedly had never had any formal education, compared with 19 per cent among men. Sixteen per cent of men have post- secondary schooling, compared with just 11 per cent of women.

Women are also less likely to exercise their political rights than men. They are less likely to be registered to vote (8 per cent unregistered for women, versus 5 per cent for men) and less likely to vote (68 per cent versus 73 per cent). Women are also significantly less likely to contact leaders or to engage in other forms of political participation.

 

Widespread discrimination

Women also face widespread discrimination as they go about their daily lives. Four in 10 Africans (40 per cent) say women are ‘often’ or ‘always’ treated unfairly by employers. A similar number (41 per cent) say traditional leaders hand down unfair treatment, and one in three (33 per cent) say the police and courts do not treat women equally.

 While large numbers report gender inequalities, most people (59 per cent) say their governments are doing ‘fairly’ or ‘very well’ in empowering women, including majorities in 27 of 34 countries. Notable exceptions include Nigeria and Egypt, where 65 per cent say their governments are doing ‘fairly’ or ‘very poorly’.

Women fare markedly worse in North Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia). These countries collectively report the lowest levels of support for women’s leadership, and the highest frequency of discrimination. 

There are also wide gaps between men and women on many issues, including the ability of women to serve as President or Prime Minister of a Muslim country (55 per cent support among women, 36 per cent among men) and support for equal rights for women in initiating a divorce (56 per cent support among women, 39 per cent among men).

 

Afrobarometer

Afrobarometer measures the social, political and economic atmosphere in Africa. Afrobarometer surveys are conducted in many African countries, including Tunisia, and are repeated on a regular cycle. The survey instrument asks a standard set of questions in all participating countries, but there are also a set of country-specific questions that address relevant issues within each country.

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