WOMEN’S LEGAL RIGHTS ACROSS THE REGION
83
to all women, others only to pregnant women. These restrictions—adopted in order to protect women—can actually hurt them.
Indicators Scoresheet 7 includes the following indicators:
• Whether there is statutory protection of equal pay for equal work • Whether there are restrictions on the industries in which women may work, on the hours women may work, or both • Whether there are statutory requirements to provide maternity leave and provisions relating to the duration of such leave and how such leave is funded • Whether there are restrictions on the industries in which pregnant women can work, the hours pregnant women may work, or both
• Whether there are provisions for maternity leave Patterns across Countries Most countries’ statutes provide for the equal right to work (39 countries) and stipulate equal pay for equal work (37 countries). Labor laws in Botswana, Mauritius, and Zambia do not provide for the equal right to work or for equal pay. By contrast, Liberia, Seychelles, and Sudan refer to labor rights such as equal pay for equal work in their constitutions (figure 2.23).
Figure 2.23 Constitutional Recognition of Nondiscrimination in the Workplace
Percentage of countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
100
75
50
25
0
Low income
Middle income
Low income
Nondiscrimination in the workplace Yes Source: Women–LEED–Africa.
No
Middle income
Equal pay for work of equal value Not found