EUROPE/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Comparing Women's Rights in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa

How does Europe compare with sub-Saharan Africa in terms of women's rights?

Here are some key differences between the regions taken from “Progress of the World's Women”, a UN Women report:

WOMEN IN POWER

Sub-Saharan African: Of the world's 28 countries that have reached or exceeded the 30 percent mark for women's representation in politics, eight are in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda, 51 percent of parliamentarians are women – the highest level of women's representation in the world.

Europe: Of the countries reaching or exceeding the 30 percent mark for women's representation in politics, 12 are in Europe. Finland has the highest share of women ministers in the world, at 63 percent.

WOMEN IN JUSTICE

Sub-Saharan Africa: Women make up just over a quarter of judges and prosecution staff.

Europe: Women make up about a third of judges and prosecution staff.

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

Sub-Saharan Africa: In Sub-Saharan Africa, surveys from 17 countries in the region showed that in some countries half or more women have experienced physical and sexual violence in their lifetimes.

Europe: Surveys from 20 countries in Europe showed between 8 and 35 percent of women have experienced physical violence, and between 3 and 11 percent have been targeted for sexual violence in their lifetimes.

DOMESTIC ABUSE

Sub-Saharan Africa: More citizens in sub-Saharan Africa than in any other region of the world believe domestic abuse is acceptable. In surveys in seven countries, about half of male and female respondents said it is sometimes or always justifiable for a man to beat his wife.

Europe: In surveys of 18 countries in Europe, about a fifth of women and men said it is sometimes justifiable for a man to beat his wife.

LAWS AGAINST VIOLENCE

Sub-Saharan Africa: In the region, 21 countries have laws prohibiting domestic violence. Burundi, Cape Verde, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe have specific laws that outlaw rape within marriage.

Europe: All but four countries in Europe have laws in place that prohibit domestic violence. About half of all countries in Europe have laws criminalizing rape within marriage.

ATTRITION IN RAPE CASES

Sub-Saharan Africa: In South Africa, about 1 in 6 reported rapes reach court and just 6 percent end in a conviction.

Europe: A 2009 study of European countries found that about 14 percent of reported rapes ended in conviction, with rates falling to as low as 5 percent in some countries.