Women’s Rights

Photo Credit: Sun Times Media
A Togolese woman, Chantal, sews fabric to earn a living.

Rights for women have come a long way in Togo, but women still face obstacles every day.  While the labor code requires equal pay for equal work regardless of gender, this law was only observed in the formal work sector and many women were underpaid compared to their male counterparts.  In addition to trouble with pay in the workplace, a husband can legally forbid his wife from working by taking away her freedom to work or controlling her earnings (2010 State Department Report).  This suppression of a woman’s right to work continues into physical abuse in some cases as well.

Domestic violence continues to be a problem in Togo and impunity is often an issue.  Police often refuse to intervene in cases of domestic violence and there are no official efforts by the government to combat domestic violence, however, several NGOs have been active in educating women on their rights.

Photo Credit: BBC News                                     Isabelle Ameganvi, leader of Let’s Save Togo, a women’s rights organization

In the political realm, women are making more of a difference these days.  According to the 2010 Human Rights Report from the State department, in 2010 there were nine female members of the National Assembly and Seven ministers in the Cabinet.  Additionally, in 2012 women organized a week long “sex-strike” aimed to pressure current President Faure Gnassingbe to resign, according to The Daily Mail.  Many women were keen on the idea, but feared repercussions from unhappy husbands who disagreed with the platform and withholding of sexual intimacy.  Although the sex-strike was not hugely successful, it brought more exposure to Togo’s political situation on an international scale.  The women of Togo are playing an increasingly larger role in the country and this strike is just another example of their increasing presence in the political scene.