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Africans Strongly Support Women’s Autonomy in Marriage and Reproductive Decisions, but Are Divided On Contraceptive Access

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Africans Strongly Support Women’s Autonomy in Marriage and Reproductive Decisions, but Are Divided On Contraceptive Access


Large majorities favour sex education and allowing pregnant girls to stay in school.

Key findings

  • On average across 38 countries, large majorities of Africans say women should be able to decide for themselves whether and when to marry (75%) as well as when to have children and how many children to have (62%). o Women are significantly more likely than men to support a woman’s autonomy in marriage decisions (78% vs. 71%) and reproductive choices (69% vs. 55%). o Views on women’s autonomy vary enormously by country, from majority opposition in Mali and Mauritania to overwhelming support in Seychelles, South Africa, Cabo Verde, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
  • More than seven in 10 Africans (73%) endorse the teaching of sexuality education in school. Support is almost universal in Madagascar and Cabo Verde but drops below one-fourth of citizens in Morocco and Mauritania.
  • About eight in 10 citizens (81%) – including majorities in all surveyed countries – say girls who get pregnant or have children should be allowed to continue their schooling.
  • A majority (58%) of Africans say contraceptives should be made available to anyone who is sexually active regardless of marital status. o But only about half (49%) would make them available to anyone who is sexually active regardless of age. o Access to contraceptives regardless of marital status and age is less popular among rural residents, older citizens, and less educated citizens.
  • A majority (63%) of citizens say abortion can “sometimes” or “always” be justified if the woman’s health or life is at risk. o Almost half (48%) say the same for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, while the other half (47%) disagree. o Solid majorities say pregnancy termination is “never justified” in cases where the woman is economically unable to care for a child (65%) or where she doesn’t want the pregnancy for any reason (69%).


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Public opinion on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa is diverse and evolving (Svallfors et al., 2024; Uka, White, & Smith, 2024). Across the continent, traditional beliefs, religion, and cultural norms have long shaped attitudes toward topics such as autonomy, contraception, sexuality education, and reproductive choice (Amoah, Larle, Beyuo, & Be-Ikuu, 2025). In many communities, these subjects are still considered sensitive or taboo, and conservative views often dominate public discussions (Mbarushimana, Conco, & Goldstein, 2022; Lukumay et al., 2023; Mohammed Tohit & Haque, 2024). However, some change is underway.

Younger generations, women’s-rights advocates, and increasing access to information are helping to shift perspectives within local communities (Egbende et al., 2024). In growing numbers, Africans recognise that empowering women and girls to make informed decisions about their bodies and health benefits families, communities, and economies (African Union, 2018; World Bank Group, 2024). Women’s-empowerment initiatives and targeted interventions by governments and development partners have helped to shore up support for access to family planning, maternal health care, and the fight against practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation (Diagana, 2023; Farina, Ortensi, Pettinato, & Ripamonti, 2022).

The latest Afrobarometer surveys, conducted between January 2024 and September 2025 in 38 African countries, shed light on the extent and nuances of public opinion on these topics. While large majorities support women’s autonomy in decisions about marriage and childbearing and favour the teaching of sexuality education in schools, views are more mixed on who should have access to contraceptives. Africans are also divided on the issue of abortion: Findings show broad acceptance of pregnancy termination if the mother’s health or life is in danger, but only half of citizens consider abortion justifiable if the pregnancy is due to rape or incest, and there is strong opposition to abortion if the woman does not want to have a baby or does not have the resources to take care of one.