A recent comprehensive assessment of women’s economic rights in Africa reveals a varied landscape, with some nations making significant strides while Chad continues to face considerable hurdles.
Positioned 36th among 54 African economies, Chad recorded a score of 51.40 out of 100. This places the nation just behind Burundi, which secured the 35th spot with 52.68 points, and marginally ahead of Botswana and Nigeria, both tied at 37th place with 51.10 points. Chad thus finds itself in the lower half of the continental rankings, trailing considerably behind the leading countries.
Mauritius leads the continent, achieving an impressive 82.30 points. Togo has shown remarkable progress, claiming second place with 79.33 points, closely followed by Côte d’Ivoire in third with 78.25 points. Zambia and South Africa also demonstrate strong performances. These leading positions are largely attributed to ambitious legislative reforms, particularly in areas concerning mobility, employment, marriage, and entrepreneurial opportunities.
With its 51.40 points, Chad’s performance remains below both the average African and global scores, which hover around 67 points out of 100. However, the assessment did acknowledge a positive step in the realm of security, marked by the enactment of legislation combating sexual harassment in public spaces.
Despite this progress, numerous systemic deficiencies persist. These include limited access to credit, inadequate protection against workplace discrimination, insufficient parental rights, and a lack of full recognition for property and inheritance rights. Such weaknesses significantly impede the economic participation of Chadian women, who constitute the majority of the active workforce, particularly within the agricultural and informal sectors.
The assessment also highlights a broader challenge across Africa: a substantial gap often exists between the adoption of progressive laws and their effective implementation. Globally, only about 50% of laws designed to promote gender equality are truly put into practice.
For Chad, this evaluation serves as both a critical diagnosis and an urgent call to action. Implementing targeted reforms focusing on property rights, enhancing access to financial resources, and strengthening protections against violence could substantially improve the status of women and foster more inclusive economic growth for the nation.
