Advancing Women's Political and Economic Rights in Africa: A case study of South Africa and Uganda

Abstract

The main thrust of this study is to analyse the extent to which women's political and economic rights in Africa have been advanced since the recognition of universal human rights - in general. It first lays out the historical development of human rights in general and how this general recognition graduated into specific protection of rights, particularly women's rights. In a general overview, policy initiatives by several African States to advance women's political and economic rights at the regional and national levels will be discussed but South Africa and Uganda are the case study in this regard. The point of departure of this study is to examine the extent to which the standards that have been set by the United Nations, which include policies, programmes of action, institutional frameworks and conventions, have contributed to the progression of women's political and economic rights in Africa. Several African States including South Africa and Uganda have domesticated some of these conventions and programmes of action; hence this study is intended at establishing whether these initiatives have been successfully implemented. With regard to the fore-going, this study further looks at the obstacles hindering advancement of women's political and economic rights as well as the gaps between policy and practice particularly in South Africa and Uganda. The study concludes by stating that although some progress has been made as far as women's participation in politics at national levels is concerned, governments still have to support women's involvement at the community levels. The study serves to convey the fact that there is a different outlook women can add to politics and the economy by virtue of being women.