Women Politics in Africa

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The role of women in African politics has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past few decades. Whereas it was virtually unheard of for a woman to run for political office as recently as the 1980s, women have now held the presidency in several African countries including Liberia, Malawi, and Central African Republic. Women comprise a majority of parliamentarians in Rwanda and hold nearly 40 percent of seats in the Mozambican and South African legislatures. Women have also played very visible roles in peace processes in countries such as Liberia and Uganda. What accounts for the changing role of women in Africa? Are these changes meaningful? What are the implications of such changes for issues regarding development and democracy? This course will focus on both the formal and informal roles that women play in politics in sub-Saharan Africa to answer these questions.