Chad’s struggle for women’s economic rights: a continental perspective

A recent assessment of economic equality between men and women across Africa reveals a mixed picture, with some nations making notable strides while others, like Chad, continue to face significant challenges. The findings, detailed in the Women, Business and the Law 2026 report, highlight the varying pace of progress on the continent.

Chad finds itself positioned 36th among 54 African economies, scoring 51.40 out of a possible 100 points. This places the nation just behind Burundi, which holds the 35th spot with 52.68 points, and marginally ahead of Botswana and Nigeria, both tied at 37th with 51.10 points. Such a ranking firmly places Chad in the latter half of the continental standings, distant from the leading countries that champion gender economic parity.

Mauritius emerges as the top performer, achieving an impressive 82.30 points. Togo has shown remarkable advancement, securing the second position with 79.33 points, closely followed by Côte d’Ivoire in third place with 78.25 points. Zambia and South Africa also demonstrate strong performance. These leading countries have notably implemented ambitious legislative reforms impacting women’s mobility, employment opportunities, marital rights, and entrepreneurial ventures.

With its score of 51.40 points, Chad’s performance remains below both the African and global averages, which hover around 67 points. Nevertheless, there has been a discernible improvement in the realm of security, attributed to the adoption of new legislation specifically targeting sexual harassment in public spaces.

Despite this positive step, numerous deficiencies persist. Critical areas requiring attention include access to credit, robust protection against workplace discrimination, comprehensive parental rights, and equitable recognition of property and inheritance rights. These systemic weaknesses significantly impede the economic participation of Chadian women, who constitute the majority of the active workforce, particularly within the agricultural and informal sectors.

The report further underscores a prevalent issue across Africa: a substantial gap often exists between the enactment of laws and their effective implementation. Globally, only about 50% of laws designed to promote equality are genuinely put into practice.

For Chad, this evaluation serves as both a critical diagnosis and a clear call to action. Implementing targeted reforms focused on strengthening property rights, enhancing access to financial resources, and bolstering protection against violence could dramatically improve the situation for women and foster a more inclusive and robust economic growth trajectory for the nation.