AN EVALUATION OF WOMEN’S HEALTH STATUS IN AFRICA: PROGRESS, CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Nenpominyi S.A.
Department of Political Science
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
E-mail: nenpipi@yahoo.com

Abstract:

The promotion of women’s health rights is also imperative for Africa’s development. This is evident in its inclusion as one of the millennium development goals and the commitment of the African Union in the implementation of existing gender related
principles, goals and actions set out in regional, continental and international instruments on women’s rights and women’s health in Africa. Despite the progress that Africa has made in
this regard, many women do not have access to reproductive and health care resulting to complications and death from pregnancy and childbirth or other lifelong health problems.
This work assesses the socio-economic implication of maternal health problems on Africa’s development. It also evaluates the role of African Union in alleviating women’s health issues.
The secondary method of data analysis is employed though the review of reports, policy documents and books related to women’s health in Africa. It identifies illiteracy, continual
conflicts, harmful socio cultural practices and governance crisis as some of the challenges the African Union needs to overcome to improve women’s health in Africa. It establishes that
when women stay healthy, they are productive, have more opportunities for education, training and employment which in turn benefit their families, their communities and
ultimately their nations. Political commitment and financial support to implement replicate and scale up successful policies and programs by government, civil society and the private
sector is suggested to improve maternal rights in Africa.