No shortcuts to power : African women in politics and policy making

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Title:

Author:

Hassim, Shireen.

ISBN:

9781842771464

9781842771471

Publication Information:

London ; New York : Zed Books, 2003.

Physical Description:

x, 246 p. ; 22 cm.

Series:

Democratic transition in conflict-torn societies

Series Title:

Democratic transition in conflict-torn societies

Contents:

8. Gender Equity and Local Democracy in Contemporary Uganda: Addressing the Challenge of Women's Political Effectiveness in Local Government / Josephine Ahikire.

1. Introduction: Women in Power in Uganda and South Africa / Anne Marie Goetz and Shireen Hassim -- 2. Women's Political Effectiveness: A Conceptual Framework / Anne Marie Goetz -- 3. Representation, Participation and Democratic Effectiveness: Feminist Challenges to Representative Democracy in South Africa / Shireen Hassim -- 4. The Problem with Patronage: Constraints on Women's Political Effectiveness in Uganda / Anne Marie Goetz -- 5. The Politics of Engagement: Women Transforming the Policy Process - Domestic Violence Legislation in South Africa / Sheila Meintjes -- 6. The 'Lost Clause': The Campaign to Advance Women's Property Rights in the Uganda 1998 Land Act / Sheila Kawamara-Mishambi and Irene Ovonji-Odida -- 7. Democratising Local Government: Problems and Opportunities in the Advancement of Gender Equality in South Africa / Likhapha Mbatha.

Subject Term:

Women -- Political activity -- South Africa.

Women -- Political activity -- Uganda.

Geographic Term:

South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994-

Uganda -- Politics and government -- 1979-

Added Author:

Hassim, Shireen.

Goetz, Anne Marie, 1961-

Electronic Access:

Publisher description http://www.loc.gov/catdir/description/hol032/2002190909.html

Copies:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Item Barcode	Shelf Number	Copy	Status
Searching... 1:IIEMSA	1:GEN-BOOK	33168015752070	306.2082096 G611N 2003	1	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

Whatever the other shortcomings of representative democracy in the world today, one issue that remains only partially resolved is the political participation and policy impact of one half of the population -- women. This book examines this question in the context of two countries, South Africa and Uganda, which in this regard have accomplished much more than most (including the Western democracies).

How did women achieve some 30% representation in both national and local political institutions in these countries? How far did women's mobilization in civil society play a part? How sustainable are these gains likely to be? And of equal importance, there are the questions around the impact of women politicians on policy. Here the volume examines two litmus test pieces of legislation -- around land in Uganda and gender violence in South Africa.

What emerges is that the political routes to increased female participation vary and the solidity of the gains made depends much on the strength of the gender-equity lobby in society at large. What is more, participation does not necessarily translate into effective policy influence enhancing the position and interests of women.