Female community health workers during a training session in Dankpen Prefecture, located in the Kara region of northern Togo. Photo by Émile Bobozi. Used with permission.
In the rural landscape of Togo, especially in the Kara region, women play a crucial role in the family and community development despite facing substantial socio-cultural obstacles. These challenges are exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure, particularly in areas inhabited by the Bassar and various ethnic groups such as the Kabye, Lamba, and Konkomba. Difficult road conditions and obstructed waterways severely limit access to healthcare facilities, which intensifies the challenges for community health workers, primarily women who strive to combine their family roles with their professional commitments.
Women constitute approximately 51.3% of Togo’s population, exceeding 9 million citizens, yet they are disproportionately affected by illiteracy rates—33% for men compared to almost 66% for women.
Gender-Specific Challenges in Rural Areas
Societal norms in Togo still favor traditional gender roles, often inhibiting women from advocating for themselves and making autonomous choices. Agriculture, which employs around 80% of women in these communities, primarily revolves around subsistence farming, making them vital for their families’ survival. However, only 15% of these women have ownership over land, which significantly limits their access to agricultural resources and credit, keeping them reliant on male counterparts. Reports have indicated that approximately 32% of Togolese women have experienced physical or sexual abuse since turning 15, highlighting a pervasive culture of violence.
Economic abuse is also prevalent; widowed women frequently find their livelihood compromised when brothers-in-law seize their crops. Additionally, harassment is widespread on isolated farms, with 42% of women reporting such experiences, which include sexual blackmail for essential resources like fertilizers.
Image of women attending a gender-based violence awareness-raising course in Bassar. Photo by Émile Bobozi, used with permission.
Challenges Faced by Successful Women
Sarakawahalou Awilia, a mother of three, serves as a community health worker representative in the Manga canton of Bassar, responsible for the health needs of over 450 households across five villages. Since 2018, Sarakawahalou has made significant strides in improving healthcare accessibility, which is reflected in the absence of under-five mortality and home births in her community. However, her accomplishments come with personal sacrifices; her husband exerts control over her earnings and has threatened her with domestic violence when she resists his demands.
Among the 195 women community health workers associated with the NGO Integrate Health, approximately 35% have reported experiencing gender-based violence (GBV). Sarakawahalou’s domestic turmoil escalated as her employment brought forth challenges in her marital dynamic. Her husband asserts, “Tu vas quitter ma maison si tu ne me donnes pas 25.000 FCFA (44 dollars américains) ce mois, d’ailleurs c’est grâce à moi que tu as été recrutée…” highlighting the emotional and financial tensions that can accompany women’s professional success.
In defending her rights, she remarked, “C’est dans mon salaire que je fais la cuisine et prends soins des enfants…,” emphasizing her role as a provider and caretaker, while questioning her husband’s contributions to family healthcare. Despite the support from her NGO and local authorities, Sarakawahalou navigates her circumstances with cautious hope that continuous awareness initiatives will help her partner understand the value of her work.
Legal Protections for Women in Togo
Togo has established various laws to safeguard women’s rights, particularly concerning issues of domestic violence and gender equality. Article 391 of the Persons and Family Code ensures women possess equal rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family estate management. Articles 232 to 237 of the New Penal Code, adopted in November 2015, specifically address the protection of women against physical and psychological abuse. For instance, Article 234 states:
Toute personne coupable des violences physiques ou psychologiques sur une femme enceinte est punie d’une peine de cinq (05) à dix (10) ans de réclusion criminelle…
Furthermore, the Labor Code enhances protections specifically for pregnant women, ensuring maternity leave rights and providing guidelines for their employment safety. Article 148 states:
Une femme enceinte peut quitter son travail sans préavis ni indemnité de rupture…
Organizations such as Women in Law and Development in Africa-Togo (WILDAF-Togo) actively advocate for women’s rights, providing legal assistance and promoting awareness about reproductive health in rural communities. Additionally, initiatives like “Zéro mariage d’enfants” have successfully kept at-risk girls in school and helped to annul child marriages.
While these laws are progressive, the enforcement remains a challenge, as many women remain unaware of their rights and lack access to supportive resources. Enhanced awareness and training programs are essential to ensure these legal protections are utilized effectively.
This article was originally written by Émile Bobozi as part of the Aspen Global Innovators program, Impact West Africa Fellowship.
