AD1080: Africans strongly support women’s autonomy in marriage and reproductive decisions, but are divided on contraceptive access – Afrobarometer

Report on African Public Opinion on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Aligning SRHR with Global Development Agendas

This report analyses public opinion on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across 38 African nations, based on Afrobarometer surveys conducted between January 2024 and September 2025. The findings are contextualised within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). While traditional and cultural norms continue to influence attitudes, there is a discernible shift in perspective, driven by youth, advocacy groups, and increased information access, indicating progress towards achieving these global goals.

Progress Towards SDG 5: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

Public opinion shows significant support for key targets within SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The empowerment of women to make informed decisions about their health and lives is increasingly recognised as fundamental to the well-being of families, communities, and national economies.

Key Findings on Women’s Autonomy:

• Decision-Making Power: Large majorities support women’s autonomy in decisions regarding marriage and childbearing, a core component of SDG Target 5.6 (ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights).
• Combating Harmful Practices: Government and partner interventions have increased support for eliminating practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, directly addressing SDG Target 5.3.
• Economic and Social Benefits: There is growing recognition that empowering women aligns with broader development objectives, reflecting the interconnected nature of the SDGs.

Advancements and Challenges in SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education)

The survey data reveals a complex landscape regarding public health and education targets. While there is strong support for educational initiatives related to SRHR, access to essential health services remains a point of division, highlighting challenges in achieving SDG Target 3.7 (ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services).

Public Opinion on Health and Education Services:

1. Sexuality Education: A majority of citizens favour the teaching of sexuality education in schools. This aligns with SDG Target 4.7, which calls for education that promotes human rights and gender equality.
2. Access to Contraceptives: Public views are mixed on who should have access to contraceptives, indicating a barrier to achieving universal access as mandated by SDG 3.
3. Reproductive Choice (Abortion): Opinions on abortion are sharply divided and highly conditional.
   • Broad acceptance exists for terminating a pregnancy if the mother’s health or life is at risk.
   • Support drops to approximately 50% if the pregnancy results from rape or incest.
   • Strong opposition is noted if the reason is a woman’s personal choice or lack of resources.

Contextual Disparities and Implications for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The realisation of SRHR-related SDGs is significantly impacted by contextual factors that create inequalities within and between countries. These disparities underscore the importance of SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality.

Factors Influencing Public Opinion:

• Socio-Demographic Divides: Significant differences in views are observed across age, gender, urban-rural location, and educational attainment.
• Normative and Legal Frameworks: Differing cultural norms, religious beliefs, and national laws create an uneven landscape for SRHR across the continent, affecting the uniform implementation of the SDGs.

Addressing these demographic and structural inequalities is critical for ensuring that progress towards SDG 3 and SDG 5 is inclusive and equitable for all populations in Africa.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on sexual and reproductive health, access to contraception, family planning, and maternal health care. It discusses public opinion on these health-related topics, which are central to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: This is a core theme of the article. It explores issues of women’s empowerment, autonomy in making decisions about their bodies and health, reproductive choice, and the fight against harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation. The entire discussion is framed around women’s and girls’ rights and equality.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article connects to this goal through its mention of sexuality education. It notes that Afrobarometer surveys found that “large majorities…favour the teaching of sexuality education in schools,” which is a key component of providing inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.7: “By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.” The article’s discussion on “access to family planning,” “contraception,” and “maternal health care” directly relates to this target.
• Target 5.3: “Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.” This target is explicitly mentioned in the article through the reference to “the fight against practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.”
• Target 5.6: “Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.” The article’s central theme of “empowering women and girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and health,” “women’s autonomy in decisions about marriage and childbearing,” and “reproductive choice” aligns perfectly with this target.
• Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for…gender equality.” The article’s finding that majorities “favour the teaching of sexuality education in schools” supports this target, as sexuality education is crucial for promoting health, well-being, and gender equality.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Public support for women’s autonomy in reproductive health decisions: The article implies this indicator by stating that Afrobarometer surveys measure public opinion on “women’s autonomy in decisions about marriage and childbearing.” This can be used to measure progress towards Target 5.6.
• Public opinion on access to contraceptives: The article mentions that “views are more mixed on who should have access to contraceptives.” Surveying these views serves as an indicator of societal acceptance and potential barriers to achieving universal access, relevant to Target 3.7.
• Public support for the elimination of harmful practices: While not providing statistics, the article notes that women’s empowerment initiatives have helped “shore up support for…the fight against practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.” Measuring the level of this public support is an implied indicator for Target 5.3.
• Public support for sexuality education in schools: The article explicitly states that “large majorities…favour the teaching of sexuality education in schools.” This finding from the surveys acts as a direct indicator for measuring progress related to Target 4.7.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: afrobarometer.org