About the Journal
The journal Cadernos de Estudos Africanos is a scientific and academic publication of the Centre for International Studies at Iscte - University Lisbon Institute (CEI-Iscte) specializing in African studies. The articles, both based on fieldwork and theoretical elaboration, are guided by the significant contributions they make to studies on Africa and the African diasporas. The journal is open to the national and international scientific community that studies the continent, particularly in the areas of Social Sciences and Humanities, focusing on internationalization and inter and multidisciplinarity.
Current Issue
This special issue looks at different aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in West Africa, focusing on the case of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Cape Verde. Sexual and reproductive rights are fundamental components of human rights, gender equality, and public health. In West Africa, these rights continue to be strongly contested, shaped by historical, political, and socio-cultural dynamics that influence access to healthcare, autonomy, and gender norms. The legal and institutional instruments regulating SRHR have evolved significantly in recent decades, particularly since the 1990s, when these rights were explicitly integrated into international human rights treaties. However, this expansion has generated strong resistance, particularly in contexts where religious conservatism, patriarchal norms, and weak enforcement continue to determine political discourse and access to these rights. These issues are addressed here in specific contexts and through detailed case studies, considering that SRHR policies and practices reflect the complex interaction between international standards, national legislation, and local social structures.
