Gendered institutions and women's political representation in Africa

Abstract

During the course of the past three decades efforts of democratisation and institutional reforms have characterised the African continent, including demands for gender equality and women's political representation. As a result, some countries have introduced affirmative action measures, either in the aftermath of conflicts or as part of broader constitutional reforms, whereas others are falling behind this fast track to women's political representation. Utilising a range of case studies spanning both the success cases and the less successful cases from different regions, this work examines the uneven developments on the continent. By mapping, analysing and comparing women's political representation in different African contexts, this book sheds light on the formal and informal institutions and the interplay between these that are influencing women's political representation and can explain the development on women's political representation across the continent and present perspectives on an 'African feminist institutionalism'.

<p>CONTENTS: Introduction -- 1. Feminist institutionalism, women's representation and state capture: The case of South Africa / Amanda Gouws -- 2. Confronting the double-bind dilemma in the representations of Joice Mujuru in Zimbabwean newspapers between 2000 and 2008 / Mandiedza Parichi -- 3. Candidate training programmes in Africa – A waste of resources or pedagogies of the oppressed? Experiences from Letsema training workshops in Botswana (2013–19) / Sethunya Tshepho Mosime and Maude Dikobe -- 4. Party primary candidate nomination institutions, informality and women’s candidature in Malawi's parliamentary elections / Asiyati Lorraine Chiweza -- 5. 'Inspiring a revolution': Women's central role in Tanzanian institutions, independence and beyond / Catherine Cymone Fourshey and Marla L. Jaksch -- 6. Experiences of gender equality legislation in Kenya: The role of institutions and actors / Shillah Sintoyia Memusi -- 7. Women's political representation and institutionalism in Nigeria – historical perspectives / Monica Adele Orisadare -- 8. Affirmative action in Ghana? Patriarchal arguments and institutional inertia / Diana Højlund Madsen -- Concluding remarks -- Index</p>