The Relative Status of Women and Men in Senegal The position of women in most ethnic groups is one of dependence: husbands, fathers, brothers, and uncles all have rights over women and much of what they produce. Despite constitutional protections, women face extensive societal discrimination, especially in rural areas, where Islamic and traditional customs, including polygyny and Islamic rules of inheritance, are strong and women generally are confined to traditional roles. About half of all women live in polygynous unions. It is estimated that only 20 percent of women are engaged in paid employment. Due to the fact that men are legally considered heads of the household, women pay higher taxes than men and employers pay child allowances to men and not to women. In urban areas, several womens groups have formed to address violence against women, usually wife beating, which is a common problem. The police usually do not intervene in domestic disputes, and most people are reluctant to go outside the family for help. Photo of: Women harvesting rice from a field in the Casamance River region. & A Senegalese family having a meal together, Ile de Goree. Read more: everyculture/Sa-Th/Senegal.html#ixzz3MFVSrbjh
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 12:35:52 +0000
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