WUNRN

http://www.wunrn.com

AFRICA - ASSESSING PROGRESS IN AFRICA TOWARD THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS - 2013

Direct Link to Full 142-Page 2013 Report:

http://www.uneca.org/sites/default/files/publications/mdgreport2013_eng.pdf

Report Has Multiple Components Important for Women

Box 3.1 - Gender-Based Discrimination in Marriage and Reproductive Health Remains High in Africa

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 Africa. Women face harsher penalties than men, especially in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan and Uganda. This is evident in the widely accepted practice of polygyny (having more than one wife at a time) without a similar acceptance of polyandry (having more than one husband at a time).

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.