Over 60% of girls in Ethiopia are married by the age of 18. Many don’t have support in negotiating with their husbands and families to take control of their own fertility.
Cultural norms
Lifestyle Everyday women riders of Mali
It is still uncommon to see women commercial motorcyclists in many African cities. In Bamako, Mali however women are not only commercial riders but every day women use motorcycles to go about their daily lives.
Arts and Culture Dads too soon: The Central African Republic has highest prevalence of child grooms
A UNICEF report has found that an estimated 115 million boys and men worldwide were married as children. Of these, one in five (23 million) became child grooms before the age of 15. Of the 82 countries analysed, the Central African Republic was found to have the highest prevalence of this practice.
African identities Attitudes to gender and sexual diversity: changing global trends
Global attitudes to gender and sexual diversity are changing. Some embrace the diversity; others push back.
Arts and Culture Guinea gives first wives the legal right to approve a polygamous marriage
The Guinean parliament has enacted a civil code that, while in favour of monogamy, stipulates that at the time of marriage, a husband has to declare that he opts for polygamy and gain the explicit agreement of his first wife.
Arts and Culture Niger’s practice of selling young girls as an unofficial “fifth wife” has been outlawed
Niger’s top court has outlawed ‘”Wahaya”, a unique form of slavery currently practiced in that country. It involves the sale of young girls from Tuareg communities to wealthy and prominent Hausa individuals as an unofficial “fifth wife”.
Arts and Culture The Ghanaian village where childbirth is prohibited
None of the about 5 000 inhabitants of Mafi Dove, a village in southern Ghana, was born there. The village is considered to be holy land and consequently has a myriad of customs and traditions that have been upheld throughout its existence. One of these is the belief that childbirth in the village is an offence to the gods.
Lifestyle Maggi commercial raises questions on gender roles in Nigeria
How important are television commercials in shaping the society, to debunk or entrench stereotypes? Maggi’s latest commercial has been the topic of debate in Nigeria, with many referring to the commercial as being misogynistic.
African identities Lulu Jemimah: Marry yourself as a commitment to your ambitions
After completing her undergraduate degree, 32-year-old Lulu Jemimah successfully joined Oxford University’s master’s programme. Despite this feat, her parents were more focused on her future nuptials. Fed up with the pressure, Lulu returned to Uganda and, in a mock ceremony, married herself.