Widespread support for equality, alongside approval of most governments’ attempts to empower women, suggest that a majority of Africans have embraced gender equality and reject traditional norms that hold women back. However, women continue to be disadvantaged in critical ways, especially through lack of equal education – a gap that has long-term implications for women’s position and advancement. Gender-based discrimination also remains widespread.
This paper looks at support for African women’s equality using data from the Afrobarometer survey.
Key findings:
- Afrobarometer’s survey of more than 50,000 people in 34 countries shows broad support for women’s equality among both men and women, and widespread acceptance of women’s leadership capabilities. But significant minorities disagree, and support for women as leaders is much weaker in North Africa.
- The survey also reveals that women remain at a marked disadvantage compared to men in their daily lives. The education gap remains wide, people also report that women face discrimination in the work place, in the courts, and among traditional leaders in their communities. Women also exercise their political rights less frequently than men do.
- Nearly three-quarters (72%) of women in 34 countries say women should have the same rights as men rather than being subject to traditional law. In 15 countries where Afrobarometer has asked about equal rights since 2002, support for equality has increased, from 68% in 2002 to 73% in 2012.
- 68% of respondents believe women are as capable as men of being political leaders, including fully 74% of East Africans, but just 50% of North Africans.
- Across 34 countries, 26% of women reported never having any formal education, compared with 19% among men. Sixteen percent of men have post-secondary schooling, compared with just 11% of women.
- Women are less likely to exercise their political rights than men. They are less likely to be registered to vote and less likely to say they vote. Women are also significantly less likely to contact leaders or to engage in other forms of political participation.
- Women also face widespread discrimination as they go about their daily lives. Four in ten Africans (40%) say women are ‘often’ or ‘always’ treated unfairly by employers. A similar number (41%) say traditional leaders hand down unfair treatment, and one in three (33%) say the police and courts do not treat women equally.
- While large numbers report gender inequalities, most people (59%) say their governments are performing ‘fairly’ or ‘very well’ in empowering women, including majorities in 27 of 34 countries. Notable exceptions include Nigeria and Egypt, where 65% say their governments are performing ‘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 and support for equal rights for women in initiating a divorce.
- Both governments and political activists must redouble their efforts, especially to promote equal access to education for girls and women, in order that all citizens, women as well as men, enjoy the fruits of the political and economic gains of the last two decades.
- Women must embrace their rights and responsibilities by taking advantage of all opportunities to make their voices heard. Women’s political participation will be an essential tool for both consolidating and extending the gains that women have made thus far.
Recommendations:
