Gender disparities across various aspects of life in Africa
The recent report by Gallup and Porticus titled “Gender Power in Africa: Analysis of the Imbalances That Shape Women’s Lives” provides a comprehensive synthesis of gender equality research in five Eastern and Southern African countries: Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. By incorporating data from the Gallup World Poll up to 2021, literature from international agencies like the U.N. and World Bank, and stakeholder and qualitative in-depth interviews conducted in 2022, the report reveals persisting gender disparities and inequalities across these nations.
The report examines gender disparities across various aspects of life, including education, economics, politics, and faith, revealing a gap between residents’ expectations and societal and governmental limitations. Key findings indicate a decline in perceptions of respect and dignity for women in almost all the countries studied. Tanzania is an exception, where 74% of women report feeling treated with respect and dignity, a figure higher than a decade ago. In contrast, only about a quarter of men and women in South Africa believe women are treated with respect and dignity, with similar sentiments held by approximately half of the women in Kenya (50%) and Uganda (52%). In Zimbabwe, this figure has dropped from 71% in 2013 to 60%.
The report underscores the critical importance of reducing gender-based violence and increasing women’s safety in sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights alarming statistics, such as only 27% of women in South Africa feeling safe walking alone at night in their area, with similarly low figures in Zimbabwe (35%), Kenya (40%), and Uganda (45%). Tanzania is the only country approaching the global average, with 61% of women feeling safe.
Employment and civic engagement also show significant gender gaps, with Kenya exhibiting the largest disparity. Here, 29% of men compared to 17% of women aged 15 to 50 report working full-time for an employer. Men are also about twice as likely as women to voice their opinions to public officials in Kenya (33% vs. 18%) and Tanzania (20% vs. 10%), with notable gaps in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Uganda as well.
Structural barriers, such as limited access to education and technology and the influence of traditional norms, continue to impede women’s advancement. In-depth interviews reveal a common perception among both genders that women and young girls are often unaware of their legal rights. Participants suggest that the government should play a more active role in disseminating information to ensure women are fully aware of the laws designed to protect and empower them.
The quantitative and qualitative data in this report indicate a strong desire among people in all five countries for more equitable treatment of women and the elimination of gender disparities that harm women and hinder economic progress. The report emphasizes the need for further research to inform inclusive and effective policies, addressing social pressures, gender-based violence, and limited government resources as obstacles to gender equality reforms.