Women's rights in Djibouti

While minority groups are represented at all levels of the government, they effectively have no power to alter legislation, due to the repressive nature of the regime.

Despite a legal quota that ensures that women hold at least 25 percent of the seats in the National Assembly, they remain underrepresented in leadership positions.

[3] Women have faced limited access to financing (from banks and microfinance institutions), mainly due to the lack of bankable projects, the inexistence of financial accounts and the difficulty of providing sufficient guarantees.

[3] In response to these challenges, Djibouti’s government adopted a ten-year policy to consolidate its commitment to gender equity and equality in all economic and social areas.

[5] Prevalence of maternal obesity is high in Djibouti City and is related to an excess risk of cesarean delivery, even after controlling for a range of medical and socioeconomic variables.

[10] In Djibouti in 1995 and 2009, the government recognized FGM as an act of crime and those who are encouraging or operating female genital mutilation are considered as criminals.

[7] The First Lady launched a campaign in 2008 with the presence of the President of the National Assembly and several Ministers and with the support from the United States Ambassador.

[14] At Peltier General Hospital in Djibouti, both the obstetricians and the midwives have developed a high level of expertise in caring for infibulated women.

[10] Physicians at the hospital have to demonstrate cultural and ethnic sensitivity while explaining the short- and long-term health risks posed by infibulation.