Contributions of selected African women to peace building in Africa, 1995-2015

Abstract

Women‘s role in governance has, for a long time, been downplayed not only in Africa but in the world as Africa has been recording low participation of women and high political apathy in both elective and appointive positions. However, concerted efforts have been made by governments and non-governmental organisations in the recent past to increase the level of participation of African women in politics. This is in line with the declaration made at the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, China, in 1995, which advocated 30 per cent affirmative action. This percentage varies from one country to another. The under representation of women in political participation gained root due to the patriarchal practice inherent in African societies and it is a growing concern to many Africans. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to review the contributions of African women to peace building in Africa while highlighting the constraining factors. These African women were selected from the different regions in Africa: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia and late Prof. Dora Akunyili of Nigeria, Luisa Dias of Mozambique, Catherine Samba-Panza of Central African Republic, Prof. Irshad Manji of Uganda and Bochra Bel Haj Hmida of Tunisia representing Western, Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Africa respectively. The study employed qualitative and quantitative methods of data gathering, which relies on primary, secondary and tertiary sources. These sources were collected through oral interviews, intensive library research, conference addresses, private documents on African women and internet data was equally utilized. The evidence from these sources indicated the roles and contributions of African women to peace building  politically, economically, socially, infrastructural, health and other wise. This study recommends more participation of women in African affairs through more implementation of the Beijing conference of 1995, a change of mind-set concerning female folk, addressing some cultural and  religious practices against women, encouraging girl-child education and also to create a link or network of women locally, regionally and  internationally among others.

Key words: Peace, Peace building, African women, Participation, Africa