The United Nations Population Fund publishes “State of the World Population 2021” on Wednesday 14 April. With the title this year My body belongs to me, and the report is devoted for the first time to the power and freedom that women have at their disposal over their bodies, without coercion or violence, in different parts of the world, and especially in Africa.
To conduct this study, the UN agency created two new indicators. First, an indicator of women’s “bodily autonomy” with the following questions: “Can you make decisions about your health and contraception? “Can you say no to your husband or partner if you do not want sex?”
Only one in two women answers yes in sub-Saharan Africa. And they are now only one in ten in Mali, Niger and Senegal. This “bodily autonomy” for women has deteriorated in recent years in Benin and Ghana, while on the contrary it has developed in Rwanda and Uganda, thanks to the latter country for the protection of free mothers and children and for a social awareness program for men and women.
In terms of legislation, Chad and the Central African Republic are better off than Egypt
The second indicator is “access to sexual and reproductive health care and sex education for over 15s” which is enshrined in law? At this point, developing countries such as Burkina Faso, Togo, Chad, the Central African Republic and Mali rank better than richer countries such as Egypt, Mauritania or Côte d’Ivoire.
► Also to listen: Guest Africa – Gabon: “The family manager is now a role shared between men and women
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