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 AFROL
Gender Profiles:
Central
African Republic
The Central African Republic, after a turbulent history, seems to
have political stability under the present regime. It remains,
however, a chronically poverty stricken country, where traditions
remain vivid among the predominantly rural population. Its own
Government admits that it can not live up to its human rights
obligations, let alone women's rights, due to poverty and lack of
funding. Thus, local traditions unfavourable to women remain the
norm in Central African women's life.
Violence against women, including wife beating, occurs.
Approximately 45 to 50 percent of adult females have undergone
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Abortions, which are prohibited by
the law are among the six leading medical causes of maternal
mortality.
Polygyny is legal in the Central African Republic (CAR). Consequently the law authorizes a
man to take up to four wives.
Every woman in the CAR averagely gives birth to 4,95 children (2000
est.).
Social data
Life expectancy: Total population: 44,02 years
male: 42,26 years
female: 45,84 years (2000 est.)
Infant mortality: 106,69 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Alphabetization rate: Total population: 60%
male: 68,5%
female: 52,4% (1995 est.)
Medical services: 12% of the population have access to medical services.
(16.500 persons per doctor)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1,03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1,01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0,96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0,8 male(s)/female
total population: 0,98 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Religious data: Muslim 4%, traditional African religions 64,98%, Christian
31,2%. (Traditional African religions and practices strongly influence the Christian majority).
Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
Family and tradition
In daily practice, women are treated as inferior to men both economically and socially. Single, divorced, or widowed women, even with children, are not considered to be heads of households. Only men are entitled to family subsidies.
Polygyny is legal, although this practice faces growing resistance among educated women. The law authorizes a man to take up to four wives, but a prospective husband must indicate at the time of the first marriage contract whether he intends to take additional wives. In practice many couples never marry formally because men cannot afford the traditional bride payment. Women who are educated and financially independent tend to seek monogamous marriages. Divorce is legal and may be initiated by either partner. The law does not discriminate against women in inheritance and property rights, but a welter of conflicting customary laws often prevails. A family code designed to strengthen women's rights was enacted in May 1998.
When it comes to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), girls continues to be subjected to this traditional practice in certain rural areas, and to a lesser degree in Bangui.
Gender sensitivity in society
The Constitution stipulates that all persons are equal before the law without regard to wealth, race, sex, or religion, but the Government does not enforce these provisions effectively, and significant discrimination exists.
Women in rural areas generally suffer more discrimination than do women in urban areas. Sixty to 70 percent of urban women have attended primary school, whereas only 10 to 20 percent of their rural counterparts have done so. At the primary level, females and males enjoy equal access to education, but the majority of young women drop out at age 14 or 15 due to social pressure to marry and bear children. Only 20 percent of the students at the University of Bangui are women. There are no accurate statistics on the percentage of female wage earners. Women's access to educational opportunities and to jobs, particularly at upper levels in the professions or in the government service, traditionally has been limited. In 1999 numerous active women's groups organized workshops and seminars to promote women's and children's rights and to fully participate in the electoral process.
The Association of Central African Women Lawyers advises women of their legal rights. The organization also publishes pamphlets in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Affairs on the dangers of FGM and of food taboos.
Health data
Access to potable water: 38%
Medical services: 12% of the population have access to medical services.
(16.500 persons per doctor)
Maternal mortality rate: 700/100.000
Infant mortality: 106,69 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Between 45 and 50% of females undergo this
procedure.
A 1996 ordinance banned female genital mutilation, which is widely condemned by international health experts as damaging to both physical and psychological health. However, girls
continues to be subjected to this traditional practice in certain rural areas, and to a lesser degree in Bangui. Approximately 45 to 50 percent of adult females have undergone FGM. A campaign of awareness organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and NGO'S has reduced the incidence of FGM in some rural areas. This campaign was continuing at year's end.
Abortions, which are prohibited by the law are among
the six leading medical causes of maternal mortality.
Violence against women
Violence against women, including wife beating, occurs although inadequate data make it impossible to quantify the extent. Victims seldom report incidents. The courts try very few cases of spousal abuse, although litigants cite these abuses during divorce trials and civil suits. Some women reportedly tolerate abuse in order to retain a measure of financial security for themselves and their children. The Government continued not to address this problem during the year.
Some girls enter prostitution to earn money for the survival of the family. The presence of international peacekeeping forces in the capital has aggravated the problem of teenage prostitution. Child prostitution increased in the capital until late in the year, when MINURCA began its withdrawal from the country. The Government did not address these problems during the year. The Penal Code forbids parental abuse of children under the age of 15 years. The Family Code was designed to strengthen children's rights. Illegitimate children now have the same rights as those born in wedlock. A juvenile court was set up in 1998 but lacked the means to function.
Main sources: U.S. Department of State, CIA,
UN, HRW, Mundo negro, CAR Government
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