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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Constraints and opportunities in political participation: the case of Zambian women
Author:Schuster, I.
Year:1983
Periodical:Genève-Afrique: acta africana
Volume:21
Issue:2
Pages:7-37
Language:English
Geographic term:Zambia
Subjects:popular participation
women
politics
Abstract:This paper examines the participation of women in the formal, extradomestic political process of Zambian society from precolonial times through 1974, the first decade of national independence. Matriliny predominated among precolonial Zambian tribes. Ethnographic evidence suggests that in acephalous matrilineal societies assertive women had opportunities to exercise leadership; in ranked societies women held formal political offices. Colonialism introduced a gap between the genders in access to education, employment, and political functions, and so reduced the leadership potential for women. The nationalist movement the post-independence government utilized women for their activities, but as members of the 'Women's Brigade' and as individual politicians women represent party interests which do not serve the interests of female citizens. Hence the majority of women perceive politics as a male domain. Notes, photogr., ref., sum. also in French and German.
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