- On average across 38 African countries, large majorities support women's autonomy in marriage decisions (75%) and reproductive choices (62%).
- A majority (57%) of Africans endorse women’s equal rights to jobs, though more than one-third (38%) say that men should have priority for scarce jobs.
- More than one in four citizens (27%) say schoolgirls "often" or "always" face discrimination, harassment, and requests for sexual favours from teachers.
- About two-thirds (65%) of citizens say women and girls are likely to be believed if they complain about discrimination or harassment.
- Two-thirds (66%) of women say that they or a family member went without medicines or medical treatment at least once during the preceding year.
Africans support women’s autonomy in marriage and reproductive decisions and endorse equal rights for women in the workplace, but many say police and courts should do more to protect women and girls from discrimination and harassment, the latest Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile reveals.
Based on 50,961 interviews conducted across 38 African countries in 2024/2025, survey findings show that strong majorities support women’s right to decide whether and when to marry and to make choices about the timing and number of children to have. Support is somewhat less robust when it comes to women’s economic empowerment: Many citizens continue to report barriers that limit women’s participation and advancement in the workforce, as well as unequal financial decision-making power within households.
The findings also point to persistent concerns about women’s safety and dignity. More than one-quarter of respondents say girls and women frequently face harassment, discrimination, or requests for sexual favours in schools and public spaces. While most citizens believe that women and girls who report such experiences are likely to be believed, more than three-fourths say the police and courts must do more to protect women and girls from discrimination and harassment.
Access to health care remains a challenge for many women. Two-thirds say that they or a family member went without needed medicines or medical treatment at least once during the previous year, with rural women affected more often than their urban counterparts.