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

Report on Public Opinion Regarding Women’s Autonomy and Reproductive Health in Africa: An SDG Perspective

Introduction and Methodology

• This report summarizes findings from a new Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile based on 50,961 interviews conducted across 38 African countries in 2024/2025.
• The data provides critical insights into public attitudes concerning women’s rights and reproductive health, directly relating to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Key areas of focus align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• It is noted that due to the sensitive nature of the topics, findings should be interpreted with caution, as detailed in Afrobarometer Methods Note No. 5.

Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5) and Quality Education (SDG 4)

1. Support for Women’s Autonomy: A majority of Africans support the right of girls and women to make their own choices regarding marriage and childbearing, a fundamental component of achieving gender equality as outlined in SDG 5.
2. Educational Rights for Pregnant Girls: Most citizens surveyed endorse allowing pregnant girls to continue their schooling. This position strongly supports SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Promoting Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

• Sexuality Education: A large majority of the public favours teaching sexuality education in schools. This aligns with SDG 3 targets to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including information and education, to help young people make informed decisions.
• Contraceptive Access:
  • Public opinion is divided on making contraceptives available to sexually active individuals regardless of age.
  • A majority, however, endorses providing contraceptives to anyone who is sexually active, irrespective of marital status, which contributes to the SDG 3 goal of universal access to reproductive health.
• Perspectives on Abortion: Public opinion on abortion is mixed and conditional, impacting the comprehensive achievement of reproductive health rights under SDG 3.
  • There is broad acceptance for pregnancy termination if the mother’s health or life is in danger.
  • Only half of citizens consider abortion justifiable in cases of rape or incest.
  • Strong opposition exists to abortion if a woman does not wish to have a baby or lacks the resources to care for one.

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 that are directly connected to three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s focus on sexuality education, access to contraceptives, and opinions on abortion directly relates to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The discussion addresses educational access and content. Specifically, it mentions the public’s desire for pregnant girls to be allowed to continue their schooling and for sexuality education to be taught in schools, both of which are central to providing inclusive and equitable quality education.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The core theme of the article is gender equality, as it explores public support for the autonomy of girls and women in making fundamental life choices about marriage, childbearing, and their health. These issues are fundamental to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

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

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • 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 directly addressed through the article’s discussion of public opinion on making contraceptives available and teaching sexuality education in schools to help young people make informed decisions.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education…” The finding that “most citizens want girls who become pregnant to be allowed to continue their schooling” directly supports the goal of ensuring all girls can complete their education, removing a significant barrier to school completion.
   • Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including… gender equality…” The “large majority” who “favour the teaching of sexuality education in schools” supports this target, as such education provides learners with crucial knowledge for their health, relationships, and well-being.

3. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.3: “Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage…” The article’s opening statement that “Most Africans support the right of girls and women to make their own choices about marriage” is directly relevant to preventing forced marriage by promoting female autonomy.
   • Target 5.6: “Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights…” This target is central to the article, which covers public opinion on women’s right to make choices about childbearing, access to contraceptives, and abortion—all key components of 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 SDG indicators by name, but the public opinion data it presents can serve as implied or proxy indicators for measuring the social norms and acceptance necessary to achieve the targets.

1. For SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

   • The finding that “Most Africans support the right of girls and women to make their own choices about marriage and childbearing” directly relates to Indicator 5.6.1: “Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use and reproductive health care.” The survey data provides a measure of the social acceptance of this principle.

2. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • The discussion on public support for making contraceptives available regardless of marital status implies a measure related to Indicator 3.7.1: “Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.” Public support is a crucial factor in creating an environment where this need can be met.

3. For SDG 4 (Quality Education)

   • The public support for allowing pregnant girls to continue their schooling is an implied social indicator for policies that would improve school completion rates, which are measured by Indicator 4.1.1: “Proportion of children and young people… at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level…” Keeping girls in school is a prerequisite for them to achieve proficiency.
   • The support for teaching sexuality education in schools can be seen as a proxy for measuring progress towards Indicator 4.7.1: “Extent to which… education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (b) curricula…” Public demand is a key driver for mainstreaming such topics.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: afrobarometer.org