African Women's Movements: Transforming Political Landscapes

by Aili Mari Tripp, Isabel Casimiro, Joy Kwesiga

Women burst onto the political scene in Africa after the 1990s, claiming more than one third of the parliamentary seats in countries like Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi. Women in Rwanda hold the highest percentage of legislative seats in the world. Women’s movements lobbied for constitutional reforms and new legislation to expand women’s rights. This book examines the convergence of factors behind these dramatic developments, including the emergence of autonomous women’s movements, changes in international and regional norms regarding women’s rights and representation, the availability of new resources to advance women’s status, and the end of civil conflict. The book focuses on the cases of Cameroon, Uganda, and Mozambique, situating these countries in the broader African context. The authors provide a fascinating analysis of the way in which women are transforming the political landscape in Africa, by bringing to bear their unique perspectives as scholars who have also been parliamentarians, transnational activists, and leaders in these movements.

Genres: Research, Feminism, Africa

280 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2008

Reviews

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book--crystal clear and powerful endorsement of the various actors contributing to women's movements in Africa, especially autonomous women's organizations. Academic and a "niche" topic, to be sure (but it shouldn't be), but well worth the read.

[Mills College Library]

305.42096 A2586 2009