The landlocked country of the Central African Republic, in central Africa, has a population of 4.4 million, a birth rate of 33.9 per 1,000, and an infant mortality rate of 85.6 per 1,000 live births.

In 2006, 70.5 percent of women age 15 and over in the Central African Republic were in the labor force, and their employment-to-population ratio in 2006 was 64.4. In 2006, women age 15 and over constituted 46.1 percent of the labor force, a percentage that has not changed substantially since 1985.

Abortion is highly restricted; even an abortion necessary to save the life of the mother is illegal, although in practice, such abortions are permitted on “grounds of necessity.” Penalties are severe for providing an abortion, including a sentence of up to ...