The turn of the century has seen African women's activism at both national and regional levels at last begin to bear fruit, in the form of a number of interesting developments on the continent's political landscape. In 2003, the African Union Secretariat under the leadership of the former Malian President, Oumar Konare, articulated an unequivocal commitment to gender parity; and the ensuing lobbying resulted in a policy ensuring that no less than 50% of the AU commissioners would be women. A few months after this, a Gender Working Group was convened to embark on strategic planning in collaboration with the gender unit at the Secretariat, and to prepare for the upcoming Heads of State Summit. A special session on gender was held during the Heads of State Summit, and this in turn resulted in a Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, which was signed by all the Heads of State on 8 July 2004.
Editorial
Editorial
- by Amina Mama
Features
Towards Women's Effective Participation in Electoral Processes: A Review of the Ugandan Experience
-by Josephine Ahikire
The Politics of State Structures: Citizenship and the National Machinery for Women in South Africa
- by Amanda Gouws
The First Lady Syndrome and the Marginalisation of Women from Power: Opportunities or Compromises for Gender Equality?
- by Jibrin Ibrahim
Standpoints
Beijing Plus Ten, or Feminism at the Crossroads?
- by Marnia Lazreg
Open Letter to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Other Women in the South African Cabinet
- by Everjoice J. Win
Response to Everjoice Win concerning the abuse of Zimbabwean women's human rights
- by Onalenna Selolwane
Profiles
The Emang Basadi Women's Association
- by Onalenna Doo Selolwane
The ZWRCN Journey
- by Shereen Essof and Hope Chigudu
In Conversation
Living Feminist Politics - Amina Mama interviews Winnie Byanyima
“Headscarf Among the Turbans” - Amina Salihu profiles Habiba Sabo Gabarin
Reviews
Review of Ringing up the Changes: Gender in Southern African Politics edited by Colleen Lowe Morna
- reviewed by Cheryl Hendricks