Women and Politics in Africa: Old Failures and New Directions

Abstract

The political power of African women has varied from place to place and over time, but in general their power - and especially their authority - has diminished since the beginning of the colonial period. Despite active involvement in liberation struggles, independence brought little improvement. Women have continued to be the invisible majority, ignored by development planners and government officials alike. However, in the last few years, the economic crisis in Africa has forced some leaders to re-evaluate their approach to development. As a result, women’s contributions to both production and reproduction have increasingly been recognised. In 1980 the Organisation of African Unity’s (OAU) official development plan, the Lagos Plan o f Action, recommended that women be integrated into all aspects of development planning, including the highest levels of planning and policy-making. The Plan calls for more women in political andcivil service positions. This chapter seeks to assess the implementation of this goal, toe evaluate the factors which have impeded and continue to impede women’s full participation in positions of power and authorityin Africa, and to assess the potential for greater participation in thefuture.