WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN PARLIAMENT IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: CASE STUDY OF RWANDA AND KENYA

Abstract

Abstract The marginalization of women from political and economic activities has been a subject of debate and policy reforms across the world. In Africa, decades after most countries attained independence; women continue to face more obstacles in pursuing their political interests in a male-dominated field. This is partly due to the societal structures that alienated women from decision-making processes in favor of men. However, gradual changes in African societies such as improved access to education, globalization, the emergence of feminism and experiences such as conflicts in the continent have seen an improved representation of women in decisionmaking processes in the society. This paper, therefore, examines parliamentary women representations in Rwanda and Kenya through the historical development of women participation in parliament, the factors that facilitated these developments, the influence of women parliamentarians in legislation, and, the challenges that continue to deter women from effective representation and participation in parliamentary proceedings. This paper concludes that women parliamentarians play a significant role in good governance through their inputs in parliamentary legislation especially on pro-poor development and protection of vulnerable groups in the society.

Keywords

• Women parliamentarians,Rwanda,Kenya,Legislation,Gender

SAHRAALTI AFRİKA PARLEMENTOSU’NDA KADIN TEMSİLİ: RUANDA VE KENYA VAKASI

Abstract

Öz Kadınların politik ve ekonomik aktivitelerden soyutlanması, dünya genelinde bir tartışma konusu haline geldi. Birçok ülke bağımsızlık konusunda yol katetmesine ragmen, Afrika’daki kadınlar hala erkeklerin egemen olduğu alanlarda politik hakları konusunda sorunlarla yüzleşiyor. Bu kısmen, kadınları karar alma süreçlerinden erkekler lehine uzaklaştıran toplumsal yapılardan kaynaklanıyor. Diğer yandan; eğitime erişim, feminizmin ortaya çıkışı, kıtada meydana gelen çatışmalar gibi değişimler Afrika’daki kadınların karar alma süreçlerinde giderek daha fazla yer aldığını göstermiştir. Bu nedenle, bu makale Ruanda ve Kenya’daki parlementoda kadınların katılımını ve katılımın tarihsel gelişimini, bu gelişmeleri kolaylaştıran faktörleri, kadın milletvekillerinin mevzuattaki etkisini ve kadınları engellemeye devam eden zorlukları inceleyerek parlamentodaki kadın temsillerini ve Ruanda ve Kenya’daki katılımı araştırmaktadır. Yapılan araştırmalar ışığında, kadın milletvekillerinin özellikle toplumdaki savunmasız grupların gelişimi ve korunması konusunda önemli bir rol oynadıkları sonucuna varılmıştır.

Keywords

• Kadın Parlamenterler,Ruanda,Kenya,Mevzuat,Çatışma

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