Women and Power in Postconflict Africa

Cambridge Studies in Gender and Politics

by Aili Tripp

The book explains an unexpected consequence of the decrease in conflict in Africa after the 1990s. Analysis of cross-national data and in-depth comparisons of case studies of Uganda, Liberia, and Angola show that post-conflict countries have significantly higher rates of women's political representation in legislatures and government compared with countries that have not undergone major conflict. They have also passed more legislative reforms and made more constitutional changes relating to women's rights. The study explains how and why these patterns emerged, tying these outcomes to the conjuncture of the rise of women's movements, changes in international women's rights norms, and, most importantly, gender disruptions that occur during war. This book will help scholars, students, women's rights activists, international donors, policy makers, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and others better understand some of the circumstances that are most conducive to women's rights reform today and why.

Genres: Africa

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2015

Reviews

[Cos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important and well-written book that contributes with a systematic analysis across Africa to a better understanding of why (and how) female empowerment can occur in post-conflict countries. It looks at the question from various angles such as legislative or executive bodies but also includes women‘s movements.

[Mills College Library]

305.42096 T836 2015