Equatorial Guinea

Mothers in Equatorial Guinea face extreme deprivation. Women have occupied an inferior position within the country, which is noted for human rights abuses and for being one of the most corrupt governments in the world. Equatorial Guinea is a least developed country (LDC) with a high total fertility rate (5.9) and a low ranking on indices of human development. In 2007, Save the Children's Mothers' Index ranked Equatorial Guinea 20th out of the 33 among the LDCs. The government has not viewed high fertility as a problem, and does not provide any support for contraceptive use. Abortion is illegal except to preserve the life or health of the woman. High fertility relates to lack of access to contraception and high infant mortality. In 2004, infant ...