Opposition parties receive free air time, and newsletters and pamphlets criticizing the government circulate freely. Freedom of assembly is respected. Citizens have the constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate with advance notice of two days. They may also travel freely within the country and abroad. Freedom of religion is respected within the predominantly Roman Catholic country.
Women hold few leadership positions.
Most occupy domestic roles and have less opportunity than men for education or formal sector employment. Domestic violence against women is reportedly common. A long decline in production of cocoa, the island's main export, on inefficient state plantations has hurt an economy that has been unable to keep pace with population growth. While successive governments have sought flagship projects, little effort has been made to improve agricultural output among the country's small farmers. To qualify for debt relief, the government must implement by 2001 economic reforms urged by the IMF and World Bank, and lack of progress has blocked some international loans.