WUNRN
AFRICA - ASSESSING PROGRESS IN
AFRICA TOWARD THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS - 2013
Direct Link to Full 142-Page 2013
Report:
Report Has Multiple Components
Important for Women
Box
3.1 - Gender-Based Discrimination in Marriage and Reproductive Health Remains High
in
A woman’s rights within marriage and the family
greatly affect her ability to control her life and make voluntary, informed
reproductive choices. Although equal rights within marriage were among the
first human rights pertaining to women’s status to be explicitly recognized
under international law, hundreds of thousands of women are still prevented
from enjoying equality with their husbands. Discriminatory marriage laws and
practices are impeding women’s right to manage, own and inherit
property. In some cases, women are required to obtain their husbands’ permission to
travel or work outside the home. Infringements on women’s rights have
serious implications on the rights of children.
Discriminatory punishment for men and
women who commit adultery is common in
Other discriminatory practices expose
women to reproductive and sexual abuses. For instance, excluding women from
property inheritance and distribution under customary laws deprives them of
shelter, exposes them to physical harm like sexual violence and abuse and
carries negative social and economic consequences for them and their
dependents. It not only violates their dignity but also weakens economic
capability and infringes on their sexual and reproductive health rights.