Gender and Law : Eastern Africa Speaks
Gender issues, particularly with respect to women's status and rights, have for a considerable period, been in the forefront of donors' dialogue on social issues with Africa. While Africa countries have fully acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and the urgent need for action, the dialogue has been largely donor-driven and issues and priorities been donor-set. Recognizing the need for a new approach in this important area for Africa's progress, the Bank, in collaboration with the Economic Commission for Africa, initiated a Gender and Law Program, in October 1997, at a Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Program shifts responsibility for identification and implementation of themes, issues, and priorities to in-country stakeholders rather than with donors. During the Conference, each country delegation voiced its priorities for change. The issues included land-related challenges, family law, violence against women, employment and labor, and decentralized governance frameworks. Land and the division of household property are prime areas where gender-based disparities marginalize and disenfranchise women of Eastern Africa. In an effort to improve women's social and economic life, two main themes emerged: the impact of customary laws and practices and the need for effective implementation. The delegates emphasized the need to initiate action for change at grassroots, institutional, and policy making levels.
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
1999-01
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| Subjects: | AUTHORITY, COMMON PROPERTY, CUSTOMARY LAW, DECENTRALIZATION, DISCRIMINATION, EMPLOYMENT, EQUALITY, FAMILIES, FAMILY LAW, GENDER, HOUSEHOLDS, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY, LAWS, LAWYERS, LEGAL REFORM, LEGISLATION, MARRIAGES, NORMS, PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, PRIVATE SECTOR, SOCIAL ISSUES, VIOLENCE GENDER ISSUES, WOMEN STATUS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, GOVERNANCE, CONFERENCES, LAND RIGHTS, PROPERTY RIGHTS, BATTERED WOMEN, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, FEMALE EMPLOYMENT, FEMALE LABOR, LEGAL CAPACITY, LEGAL RIGHTS, LEGAL STATUS OF WOMEN, ACCESS TO LAND, INHERITANCE & SUCCESSION, WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION, MARRIAGE LAW, MARRIED WOMEN, |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/1999/01/1121271/gender-law-eastern-africa-speaks https://hdl.handle.net/10986/9876 |
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| Summary: | Gender issues, particularly with respect
to women's status and rights, have for a considerable
period, been in the forefront of donors' dialogue on
social issues with Africa. While Africa countries have fully
acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and the urgent
need for action, the dialogue has been largely donor-driven
and issues and priorities been donor-set. Recognizing the
need for a new approach in this important area for
Africa's progress, the Bank, in collaboration with the
Economic Commission for Africa, initiated a Gender and Law
Program, in October 1997, at a Conference held in Addis
Ababa, Ethiopia. The Program shifts responsibility for
identification and implementation of themes, issues, and
priorities to in-country stakeholders rather than with
donors. During the Conference, each country delegation
voiced its priorities for change. The issues included
land-related challenges, family law, violence against women,
employment and labor, and decentralized governance
frameworks. Land and the division of household property are
prime areas where gender-based disparities marginalize and
disenfranchise women of Eastern Africa. In an effort to
improve women's social and economic life, two main
themes emerged: the impact of customary laws and practices
and the need for effective implementation. The delegates
emphasized the need to initiate action for change at
grassroots, institutional, and policy making levels. |
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