Abstract
The history of African societies is replete with examples of gender disparity, discrimination and the subjugation of women as a result of traditional norms and religious ethos, by which women have been marginalized and relegated to the background as second fiddle to men in every sphere of life. This chapter examines and identifies tradition, religious doctrines, cultural institutions and women’s aversion to women in politics as some of the factors impeding gender equality in Africa. It also explores the plight of women in a gender-biased society that deprives them of equal access to the unfettered rights and opportunities that men enjoy. The chapter underscores the unrelenting efforts of African women to reverse previous deprivation by participating actively in politics (in particular state legislation) and argues in favor of gender mainstreaming as a potent strategy to engender African gender parity.
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Agbalajobi, D. (2018). Gender and Governance. In: Oloruntoba, S., Falola, T. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of African Politics, Governance and Development. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95232-8_31
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95232-8_31
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