FEMALE EXCESS MORTALITY IN WEST AFRICA: A PHENOMENON FUELED BY INEQUALITIES AND DISCRIMINATION?

Mariam BOUGMA, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Géraldine Duthé, Institut National d'Études Démographiques (INED)
Christophe Z. Guilmoto, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)

West Africa has long been considered spared from the phenomenon of excess female mortality, as no significant imbalance in births had been observed in this region, key indicator of such inequalities, had been observed in this region. This reality remains largely true today for new-borns. However, the situation is not so clear when it comes to children aged 1 to 4. Indeed, after analyzing various data sources and methods, we have found that several West African countries show clear signs of excess female mortality at this age. The aim of this presentation is to use data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) to analyze and explain the unusual gender disparities in child mortality in these countries. Specifically, it seeks to examine potential explanations for the excess mortality of young girls at two main levels: (i) health-related behaviors, such as preventive and curative care, as well as nutrition (including breastfeeding and nutritional adequacy); and (ii) cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation, still practiced in Africa, which could also impact the health of young girl.

Keywords: Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination, Health and Morbidity, Gender Dynamics

See extended abstract.