A majority of Africans support women’s rights and autonomy, but many believe institutions must do more to address discrimination, harassment, and barriers limiting women’s participation in society, a new Afrobarometer report has revealed.
The report, based on surveys conducted across 38 African countries in 2024/2025, shows that citizens broadly support women’s ability to make decisions about marriage and childbearing, while also calling for stronger action from the police, courts, and other institutions to protect women and girls.
According to the findings, 75 per cent of respondents support women’s right to decide whether and when to marry, while 62 per cent agree that women should determine when and how many children to have.
However, the report highlights continuing inequalities, particularly in household financial decision-making and economic opportunities. It found that women are less likely than men to say they make financial decisions independently, with 36 per cent of women reporting they decide how money is used compared with 44 per cent of men.
The study also found that although 57 per cent of Africans support equal rights for men and women in employment, 38 per cent still believe men should have priority over women when jobs are scarce.
Employer preference for hiring men, lack of education and skills, inadequate childcare support, and limited flexible work arrangements were identified as major barriers affecting women’s entry and advancement in the workforce.
The report further revealed concerns about discrimination and sexual harassment, with more than one in four respondents saying women and girls often experience harassment or requests for sexual favours in public spaces and educational institutions.
While 65 per cent of citizens believe women and girls who report discrimination or harassment are likely to be believed, an overwhelming 78 per cent said police and courts must do more to protect them.
The findings also highlighted challenges in access to healthcare, with 66 per cent of women saying they or a family member had gone without medical care or medicines at least once in the previous year. Rural women were found to face greater difficulties compared to those in urban areas.
Afrobarometer said the findings reveal a gap between public support for gender equality and the realities many women continue to face, urging stronger implementation of policies and institutional reforms to promote women’s rights across Africa.
The report forms part of Afrobarometer’s Round 10 surveys, which gathered responses from 50,961 people across 38 African countries on issues including governance, democracy, and quality of life.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
