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 AFROL
Gender Profiles:
Eritrea
Eritrea, Africa's newest country, has experienced decades of wars of
liberation and later against Ethiopia. A large part of the population has been
and is still/again in exile. Wars, natural disasters and big parts of the
country mined are the main reasons for widespread poverty. The traditional value
set remains strong within the Muslim and Orthodox Christian rural societies,
promoting practices unfavourable to women, such as an almost universal practice
of female genital mutilation. This is, however, contrasted, by the urban elite,
where a big part had spent years or decades in Europe/the US, and went home with
a high education and Western ideas after independence in 1993. These former
refugees mostly constitute the ruling class, and the new legislation coming up
bears evidence of their background. Women's reights are taken serious by the
government.
Much of society remains traditional and patriarchal, and most women have an inferior status to men in their homes and communities.
In practice, males retain privileged access to education, employment, and control of economic resources, with more disparities in rural areas than in cities.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is widespread. FGM is practiced by almost all ethnic and religious
groups and about 95 % of females undergo this practice. There is no law prohibiting FGM.
Every woman in Eritrea on average gives birth to 5,93
children (2000 est.)
Social data
Life expectancy: Total population: 55,79 years
male: 53,36 years
female: 58,29 years (2000 est.)
Infant mortality: 76,66 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Alphabetization rate: Total population: 25%
male: NA%
female: NA%
Medical services: 50.000 persons per doctor.
Sex ratio: at birth: 1,03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1,01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0,98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1,04 male(s)/female
total population: 0,99 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Religious data: Traditional African religions 1,85%,
Christian (Coptic, Roman Catholic, Protestant) 50%, Muslim 45%.
Family and tradition
Much of society remains traditional and patriarchal, and most women have an inferior status to men in their homes and communities. The law provides a framework for improving the status of women, but laws are implemented unevenly, because of a lack of capacity in the legal system and ingrained cultural attitudes. In practice, males retain privileged access to education, employment, and control of economic resources, with more disparities in rural areas than in cities.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is widespread and it
is practiced by almost all ethnic and religious groups. About 95% of
females are subjected to FGM and there is no law prohibiting it.
Gender sensitivity in society
The Constitution and the transitional Civil Code prohibit discrimination against women, children, and the disabled, and the Government generally enforces these provisions.
The Government consistently advocated improving the status of women, many of whom played a significant role as fighters in the struggle for independence. Since independence women have enjoyed a legal right to equal educational opportunities, equal pay for equal work, and legal sanctions against domestic violence. In 1994 the Third Party Congress advocated more rights for women, including parity in the right to land and other property. However, much of society remains traditional and patriarchal, and most women have an inferior status to men in their homes and communities. The law provides a framework for improving the status of women, but laws are implemented unevenly, because of a lack of capacity in the legal system and ingrained cultural attitudes. In practice, males retain privileged access to education, employment, and control of economic resources, with more disparities in rural areas than in cities.
The law requires that women between the ages of 18 and 40 participate in the national service program, and during the year women were engaged in fighting in the conflict with Ethiopia. During the year, the Government began removing women from direct combat and assigning them other responsibilities, including training and heavy equipment operations.
According to an assessment by the East African Media Women's Association (EAMWA), "ever since independence the Government of Eritrea has continued to recognize the importance of women in society." The political will and commitment regarding gender issues has been reaffirmed in the nation's Macro Policy, which states:
"All efforts will continue to be undertaken to sensitize and enhance the awareness of the society on the decisive role of women for the socio-economic, political and cultural transformation of the country." It goes on, "The equal right of women will be upheld and all laws that detract from this right will be changed."
In Eritrea the number of women occupying high government posts is quite remarkable. In 2001, there are two women ministers (the Ministers for the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare). Furthermore, 22% of the members of parliament, 11.1% of the ambassadors and 16% of the judges are women. "Even so, these women are in the minority. If women want to achieve something they will have to work hard," EAMWA assesses.
Health data
Access to potable water: 12%
Medical services: 50.000 persons per doctor.
Maternal mortality rate: 1.400/100.000.
Infant mortality: 76,66 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): About 95% of females undergo this
practice.
Female genital mutilation, which is widely condemned by international health experts as damaging to both physical and psychological health, is widespread, with estimates placing the number of women and girls who have been subjected to FGM at 95 percent. FGM is practiced by almost all ethnic and religious groups. There is no law prohibiting FGM. The Government, through education programs sponsored by the Ministry of Health and the National Union of Eritrean Women, a government organization, discourages this practice.
Violence against women
The Government has taken a firm public stance against domestic violence. Health, police, and judicial authorities report that no serious domestic violence problem exists.
Main sources: U.S. Department of State, CIA,
EAMWA, Mundo negro
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