GBV greatest equality challenge for African women - report
Africans see gender-based violence (GBV) as the most important women’s-rights-related issue governments and societies need to address, with 31% of those surveyed highlighting it as the top priority.
This is followed by too few women in influential positions in government (20%), unequal access to education (17%) and unequal opportunities in the workplace (16%).
According to an Afrobarometer report, 38% of Africans said GBV is common in their communities.
Meanwhile, “a sizable and slowly growing majority of 75% of Africans say women should have the same chance of being elected to public office as men. But 52% say a woman who runs for office is likely to be criticised or harassed".
A total of 58% of Africans endorse women’s equal right to jobs, but this varies widely by country.
“Women trail men significantly in ownership of key productive and informational assets such as cars (15% versus 31%), radios (50% vs 65%) and bank accounts (34% vs 43%).”
Similarly, women are less likely than men to say they make household financial decisions themselves (35% vs 44%).
Govts should do more
While governments get relatively positive marks for their efforts to promote gender equality, 63% of citizens say their governments should be doing more.
The report further noted that the fight for women’s equality takes place on many fronts, such as in homes, communities, schools, workplaces, businesses and in government.
According to Afrobarometer, country profiles can, however, differ substantially.
GBV is the highest-ranked issue in 21 of 39 countries, and majorities identify it as the priority in Cabo Verde (69%), Lesotho (64%), Botswana (59%), Tunisia (56%) and Namibia (52%).
“But it barely registers as an issue in Mauritania (5%) and is a relatively low priority in a number of other countries in West and Central Africa.”
Gender discrimination
On average across Africa, 75% of citizens say women should have the same chance as men to vie for political office. This is the majority view in all surveyed countries except Sudan, where a slim majority (53%) say men make better political leaders and should thus be given priority as candidates.
A total of 78% of Namibians said women should have an equal chance to be elected.
While more than three-fourths of Cabo Verdeans (80%) and Seychellois (78%) reject gender discrimination in employment, only about one-third of respondents in Madagascar (32%) and Niger (35%) agree.
In Namibia, 69% support that women have equal rights to jobs and land, and 74% said this reflects the reality on the ground.
This is followed by too few women in influential positions in government (20%), unequal access to education (17%) and unequal opportunities in the workplace (16%).
According to an Afrobarometer report, 38% of Africans said GBV is common in their communities.
Meanwhile, “a sizable and slowly growing majority of 75% of Africans say women should have the same chance of being elected to public office as men. But 52% say a woman who runs for office is likely to be criticised or harassed".
A total of 58% of Africans endorse women’s equal right to jobs, but this varies widely by country.
“Women trail men significantly in ownership of key productive and informational assets such as cars (15% versus 31%), radios (50% vs 65%) and bank accounts (34% vs 43%).”
Similarly, women are less likely than men to say they make household financial decisions themselves (35% vs 44%).
Govts should do more
While governments get relatively positive marks for their efforts to promote gender equality, 63% of citizens say their governments should be doing more.
The report further noted that the fight for women’s equality takes place on many fronts, such as in homes, communities, schools, workplaces, businesses and in government.
According to Afrobarometer, country profiles can, however, differ substantially.
GBV is the highest-ranked issue in 21 of 39 countries, and majorities identify it as the priority in Cabo Verde (69%), Lesotho (64%), Botswana (59%), Tunisia (56%) and Namibia (52%).
“But it barely registers as an issue in Mauritania (5%) and is a relatively low priority in a number of other countries in West and Central Africa.”
Gender discrimination
On average across Africa, 75% of citizens say women should have the same chance as men to vie for political office. This is the majority view in all surveyed countries except Sudan, where a slim majority (53%) say men make better political leaders and should thus be given priority as candidates.
A total of 78% of Namibians said women should have an equal chance to be elected.
While more than three-fourths of Cabo Verdeans (80%) and Seychellois (78%) reject gender discrimination in employment, only about one-third of respondents in Madagascar (32%) and Niger (35%) agree.
In Namibia, 69% support that women have equal rights to jobs and land, and 74% said this reflects the reality on the ground.
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