Perspective: Africa (June 2016) Perspective: Africa (June 2016) | Page 12

Perspective: Africa - June 2016 10 facts about Women’s Rights in Africa 1. A woman in South Africa has a greater chance of being raped than she does of learning how to read (BBC) 7. In Mali, Nigeria, Malawi and Burkina Faso over 70% of women report that they have no say in their own health needs as they have to seek permission from 2. Seventy percent of women in Niger their husband. (World Vision) report being beaten or raped by their husband, father or brother (UNOCHA 2007) 8. The five North African countries 3. In Sub Saharan Africa about half of surveyed by Afrobarometer – Algeria, the population live below the poverty line; Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia – collectively report the lowest levels of support over 80 percent of the poor are women for women’s equality, and the highest (UNFPA 2008) frequency of discrimination 4. Africa currently ‘boasts” just one elected female president – Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – in an entire continent of 54 countries, more than 50 years after political independence 9. 68% of Africans believe women are as capable as men of being political leaders, including 74% of East Africans, but just 50% of North Africans. (Afrobarometer) 5. At the current pace of change it will take approximately 80 years to achieve gender parity in workplaces (World Economic forum) 10. Women’s literacy rates remain 24 percentage points lower than those of men in Africa, compared with a global difference of just 10 points (Afrobarometer) 6. Only 2 women are listed on South Africa’s top 100 CEOs… This when held up against the narrative of Africa Rising, suggesting a lack of clear incentives for ensuring inclusive advancement of women to leadership positions in corporate Africa. (Africa Advisory Group). 11