Paige Millan GCU 114 8 March 2013 Equatorial Guinea does not treat woman with the compassion

that most other countries treat their women. Being part of Africa, this country is a part of a continent that is notorious for not treating woman as justly as is desired by the United Nations. With girls not receiving the same education as boys, and husbands abusing their wives out of love this country has yet to implement any laws to make their country a safe place for woman to live. In the preliminary part of their life, young girls are not as valued the opposite sex. Males in the school system are allowed to delve further into education whereas girls are not permitted to do so. The average female receives only one-fifth as much schooling as the average male. ("Every culture," 2011). With males given the superior education, women do not get to attain as positive of a future for themselves as men do. The literacy rate is 79 percent 90 percent for men and 68 percent for women. ("Every culture," 2011). With men receiving the (better side of the deal), women in this country have to rely on their future husbands to give them a decent life. There is considerably more opportunities for individuals with an education, and because woman lack one of any significance, men become the more imperative people in the country. There is a prejudice in this country against woman that, although the constitution claims everyone is created equal, can be clearly seen. The Constitution of Equatorial Guinea provides for equal rights for men and women. Equatorial Guinea became a party to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women in 1984. (SIGI, 2012).

Due to an obviously corrupt government, having laws that are written, does not mean that anything is being done about it. Claiming that all individuals are equal does not mean that they are. Women are not treated how men are treated Their status is little higher than that of children, and women are expected to defer to men in general, and to their husbands in particular. ("Every culture," 2011). When outsiders can see that only the men of the country are cared for, it means that there needs to be immediate reform. In Equatorial Guinea, plenty of laws go unenforced because there are specific social understandings that have been adopted in place of the laws. In marriages, women are often abused and often, to the point of deathin this country abuse is considered reasonable because men have the right to discipline their wives. (SIGI, 2012). Also, in marriages, the husbands are seen more significant and it is evident by looking at how divorces work in this country. In the case of a couple, with children, going through a divorce, the husband is essentially always given custody of the children that were conceived during the time of the marriage. Many times, if the woman has had children before the marriage occurred, she is granted only those children, also she may receive custody of the children who are under seven years old, but this typically happens only in the case of a separation. The children, who are granted to the father, live with the father or the fathers parents until they reach the age of adulthood. (SIGI, 2012). if a marriage is dissolved, the wife (or her father or brother) must return the dowry given to her family by the bridegroom at the time of marriage. The government passed a decree that forbids this practice but has yet to implement it.(SIGI, 2012). This is one of the cases where laws that do not allow this practice any longer, but it has not been implemented, so the womans family must return what was given to them at the time of the marriage.

Woman in Equatorial Guinea have not been given the same opportunities as the men in their countries. There have been multiple reportings of domestic abuse. The reportings of abuse are often not reported by the woman in the abusive relationship due to the fear of shaming the family. Despite the existence of legislation prohibiting violence against women, under-reporting and ineffective enforcement of laws pose significant hurdles to womens access to justice following violence.(SIGI, 2012). Because nothing is being done about abuse, the country as a whole continues to believe that it is socially acceptable for a man to punish his wife if he pleases. On the other hand, it is said that if the abuse occurs in public, then it is a crime, but what happens behind doors is not. With Equatorial Guinea being among the worst countries for womans rights, it is sad to think that nothing is being done to protect these women. With a constitution that states that there is equality, but nothing to show for it, it is surprising that woman in this country have not spoken up to get the rights they deserve. No woman should be considered only as important as children, no woman should receive less of an education as a male, and no woman should be allowed to be abused. This country could flourish if only they provided for women what they give to men.

Sources:

Every culture. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/EquatorialGuinea.html Social institutions & gender index (SIGI). (2012). Retrieved from http://genderindex.org/country/equatorial-guinea