Africans strongly support women’s autonomy in marriage and reproductive decisions, but are divided on contraceptive access, new Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile reveals – Africa24 TV

Report on African Public Opinion Regarding Reproductive Health and Gender Equality in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A comprehensive Pan-Africa Profile report by Afrobarometer, based on 50,961 interviews across 38 African nations in 2024/2025, reveals significant public support for advancing key tenets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning gender equality, health, and education. The findings indicate a strong alignment of public opinion with SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 4 (Quality Education), while also highlighting areas of contention that present challenges to the full realization of these goals.

Key Findings in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The survey underscores widespread support for empowering women and girls, a central target of SDG 5. Public opinion strongly favors female autonomy in crucial life decisions.

• Autonomy in Marriage and Family Planning: In alignment with SDG Target 5.6 (ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights), a significant majority of Africans affirm a woman’s right to self-determination.
  1. 75% believe women should decide for themselves whether and when to marry.
  2. 62% support a woman’s right to decide when to have children and the number of children to have.
• Gender Disparities in Opinion: A notable gap exists between male and female perspectives, highlighting the ongoing need to address gender-based inequalities (SDG 5.1).
  • 78% of women support autonomy in marriage decisions, compared to 71% of men.
  • 69% of women support autonomy in reproductive choices, versus 55% of men.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being & SDG 4: Quality Education

The report highlights the interconnectedness of health and education, revealing strong public backing for policies that promote well-being and inclusive learning environments.

• Support for Sexuality Education: A key component of SDG Target 3.7 (ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services) and SDG Target 4.7 (ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development), sexuality education in schools is endorsed by 73% of Africans.
• Educational Rights for Pregnant Girls: Reflecting the principles of inclusive and equitable education (SDG 4.1), an overwhelming 81% of citizens across all surveyed countries believe that girls who become pregnant should be permitted to continue their schooling.
• Access to Contraceptives: Public opinion on access to contraception, crucial for SDG Target 3.7, is nuanced.
  • A majority (58%) supports making contraceptives available to anyone who is sexually active, regardless of marital status.
  • However, consensus breaks down regarding age, with only 49% supporting availability for anyone who is sexually active, regardless of age. This indicates a potential barrier to achieving universal access for adolescents.
• Views on Abortion: Opinions on the legal and social justification for abortion, a critical aspect of reproductive healthcare (SDG 3.1, 3.7, 5.6), are deeply divided and context-dependent.
  • A 63% majority finds abortion justifiable if the woman’s health or life is at risk.
  • Support drops to 48% for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
  • Strong opposition exists for terminations based on economic hardship (65% say it is “never justified”) or personal choice (69% say it is “never justified”).

Survey Methodology

The findings are derived from Afrobarometer’s Round 10 surveys (2024/2025). The pan-African, non-partisan research network conducted face-to-face interviews with national samples of 1,200-2,400 respondents in 38 countries. The results yield country-level data with margins of error of +/-2 to +/-3 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. Due to the sensitive nature of the topics, caution in interpretation is advised.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article highlights issues directly connected to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article extensively discusses public opinion on sexual and reproductive health matters, including the teaching of sexuality education, access to contraceptives, and the justification for abortion under various circumstances. These topics are central to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article addresses educational access and quality by reporting on public support for allowing pregnant girls to continue their schooling. It also touches on the curriculum by discussing the inclusion of sexuality education in schools, which is a key component of comprehensive education for health and well-being.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • This goal is at the core of the article’s findings. The report focuses on women’s autonomy and rights, specifically their ability to make their own choices about marriage and childbearing. The data on support for women’s reproductive choices and access to contraceptives directly relates to empowering women and achieving gender equality.

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

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• 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.
  • This target is addressed through the article’s findings on public support for teaching sexuality education in schools (73%), making contraceptives available regardless of marital status (58%), and opinions on the legality and justification of abortion.
• Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
  • The article connects to this target with its finding that a vast majority of citizens (81%) believe that girls who become pregnant should be allowed to continue their schooling. This addresses a significant barrier to education for a vulnerable group of girls, aiming to ensure their equal access is not denied due to pregnancy.
• Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
  • The finding that a large majority (75%) of Africans believe women should be able to decide for themselves “whether and when to marry” directly supports the goal of eliminating forced marriage, which is a harmful practice targeted by this goal.
• Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
  • This target is strongly supported by the article’s data showing that a majority (62%) believe women should have the right to decide “when to have children and how many children to have.” The discussion on access to contraceptives and opinions on abortion further underscores the relevance of this target concerning reproductive rights.

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

The article does not mention official UN SDG indicators by their formal codes. However, the Afrobarometer survey data itself provides several powerful, implied indicators that can be used to measure public attitudes and social norms, which are crucial for tracking progress towards the identified targets.

• For Target 5.6 (Reproductive Rights):
  • Indicator: Percentage of the population who believe women should be able to decide for themselves when to have children and how many children to have. The article provides a value of 62% for this.
  • Indicator: Percentage of women vs. men who support a woman’s autonomy in reproductive choices (69% vs. 55%). This helps measure gender gaps in attitudes.
• For Target 5.3 (Harmful Practices):
  • Indicator: Percentage of the population who believe women should be able to decide for themselves whether and when to marry. The article states this is 75%.
• For Target 3.7 (Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health-care):
  • Indicator: Percentage of the population that endorses the teaching of sexuality education in school (73%).
  • Indicator: Percentage of the population who believe contraceptives should be available to anyone who is sexually active regardless of marital status (58%).
  • Indicator: Percentage of the population who believe abortion can be justified if the woman’s health or life is at risk (63%).
• For Target 4.5 (Equal Access to Education):
  • Indicator: Percentage of the population who say girls who get pregnant or have children should be allowed to continue their schooling (81%).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: africa24tv.com