AFRICA GENDER FUTURES: THEMATIC FUTURES

This report from the Institute for Security Studies examines the intersection of gender inequality and health in Africa, focusing on disparities in disease impact, maternal mortality, reproductive health access, and the influence of social norms on healthcare outcomes.

• African women face higher mortality rates from nutritional deficiencies and communicable diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, women are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS; for instance, they represented approximately 59% of new HIV infections among people aged 15 and older in 2018.
• There is a significant unmet need for contraception in sub-Saharan Africa, where about 25% of women of reproductive age lack access—the highest rate globally. Globally, an estimated 250 million women and girls in developing countries who wish to avoid pregnancy do not use contraceptives.
• Maternal mortality remains high in Africa, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for roughly 70% of global maternal deaths. In 2019, Africa had 450 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to a global average of 190. Projections for the 'Current Path' suggest a decline to 340 deaths by 2030 and 190 by 2043, failing to meet the SDG target of 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
• Gender-based violence is more prevalent among African women (approximately 44%) than the global average (about 30%). Southern African nations, specifically Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, have the highest rape rates globally. In South Africa, the rate of women killed by intimate partners is five times the global average.
• Social norms and male authority often restrict women's healthcare access in African communities. Men may refuse their wives' access to treatment or medical examinations if they disagree with the practices based on discriminatory norms. Conversely, some data suggests health investments may favor girls over boys in the under-five age group, as male children are more likely to be stunted.

APA

Yeboua, K., & Cilliers, J. (2026). AFRICA GENDER FUTURES: THEMATIC FUTURES. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=16-gender&topic=03-health

Chicago

Yeboua, Kouassi, and Jakkie Cilliers. AFRICA GENDER FUTURES: THEMATIC FUTURES. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=16-gender&topic=03-health.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Yeboua |first1=Kouassi |last2=Cilliers |first2=Jakkie |title=AFRICA GENDER FUTURES: THEMATIC FUTURES |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=21 April 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=16-gender&topic=03-health |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{yeboua2026africa, author = {Yeboua, Kouassi and Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{AFRICA GENDER FUTURES: THEMATIC FUTURES}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = apr, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/thematic/guide.pdf?thematic=16-gender&topic=03-health}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }