AD1152: Comorian women face barriers to equality in education, employment, and politics
Source: Afrobarometer
In Comoros, gender equality and women’s rights are upheld by the Constitution and the 2017 National Policy on Gender Equality and Equity. Gender issues are also addressed in the country’s development roadmap, Comoros Emerging Plan 2030, which promotes the empowerment of women and girls across all sectors (Madjid, 2023).
However, gender inequality is a pressing concern in the country. Comorian women have notably lower literacy rates than men (67% compared to 73%). They are less likely than men to attain post-secondary education and more likely to have no formal schooling (Union of the Comoros, 2022).
Women’s economic participation is significantly lower, with just 39% of working-age Comorian women actively engaged in the labour force, compared to 58% of men (Union of the Comoros, 2023). This disparity heightens their vulnerability to abuse. Among 78 reported cases of economic violence from April to June 2025, 64% involved women (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2025a).
In Comoros, gender equality and women’s rights are upheld by the Constitution and the 2017 National Policy on Gender Equality and Equity. Gender issues are also addressed in the country’s development roadmap, Comoros Emerging Plan 2030, which promotes the empowerment of women and girls across all sectors (Madjid, 2023).
However, gender inequality is a pressing concern in the country. Comorian women have notably lower literacy rates than men (67% compared to 73%). They are less likely than men to attain post-secondary education and more likely to have no formal schooling (Union of the Comoros, 2022).
Women’s economic participation is significantly lower, with just 39% of working-age Comorian women actively engaged in the labour force, compared to 58% of men (Union of the Comoros, 2023). This disparity heightens their vulnerability to abuse. Among 78 reported cases of economic violence from April to June 2025, 64% involved women (United Nations Children’s Fund, 2025a).