Engendering Democracy in Africa

Niamh Gaynor is an Associate Professor in International Development, Dublin City University, Ireland.

"This book is a much needed antidote to the national level focus of most studies of democratisation and development. Drawing on a rich empirical base, it looks at the sites of everyday politics, showing how they are gendered. The chapters explore a wide range of spaces, ranging from the fast growing ‘Lion Economies’ in Africa to decentralisation practices, NGOs, the media, community associations and traditional authorities. This timely book uncovers new opportunities, challenges and lessons for women’s empowerment."Professor Aili Mari Tripp, Wangari Maathai Professor of Political Science & Gender and Women’s Studies, Co-Editor, American Political Science Review, Department of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA"This book transcends the WID/GAD development literature to incorporate different bodies of theory, such as post-structuralism and discourse theory. It connects theoretical premises with varied empirical research in Africa, weaving a rich tapestry of insights and novel understandings. It deftly navigates different aspects of gender politics such as substantive representation, informal networks, protest and institutional politics, looking to Asia for solutions. I look forward to using it with my students."Professor Amanda Gouws, SARChI Chair in Gender Politics, Department of Political Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

• CHAPTER 1: Engendering democracy in Africa: Beyond numbers, CHAPTER 2: Why engender democracy: Gendered inequalities in development, CHAPTER 3: How to engender democracy: The 4W framework, CHAPTER 4: Looking East: Africa’s Lion economies and national development planning, CHAPTER 5: Seizing and transforming local spaces: The politics of decentralisation, CHAPTER 6: NGOs, the media and the public sphere: Evolving arenas for political participation, CHAPTER 7: Community associations, adaptive chieftaincies and the public sphere: Local politics of capture, compliance and contestation, CHAPTER 8: Conclusion: Lessons, tensions and reasons for hope