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

Yıl 2019, Cilt: 4 Sayı: 2, 171 - 187, 31.12.2019

Prudence Laure Ndınga

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Women parliamentarians, Rwanda, Kenya, Legislation, Gender

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kadın Parlamenterler, Ruanda, Kenya, Mevzuat, Çatışma

Kaynakça

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