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Abdou, M.

TitelWomen as political actors : formal criteria and informal dynamics in electing women councillors in Niger  
AuteursJ. Tegels, M. Abdou
Jaar2007
UitgeverSNV Netherlands Development Organisation
PlaatsThe Hague
Pagina's24
SerietitelSNV publications
SerienummerH0702-04
OrganisatieSNV - Netherlands Development Organisation
OnderwerpSocial and Political Change
Trefwoordendecentralization, democratisation, women, gender
Regio'sAfrica South of Sahara, West Africa
LandNiger
SamenvattingWomen stood for the municipal council elections in Niger in 2004. This is important, because women councillors are often seen as the ones who could challenge the existing patriarchal elite. The representation of women councillors in the five municipal councils confirms the fact that within the decentralization process women have better access to local politics, in this case municipal councils. The quota system is indeed an enabling minimum, a stepping stone for women who want to enter politics. In this case the quota system is not just tokenism. The research also demonstrates how the women used predominantly informal dynamics in their campaigns and exploited their access to the private domain of voters and their various networks as a major source for support. But the study also illustrates the ambivalence in the positions of the women. They have to balance meeting the expectations of the political party and the expectations of the supporters who voted for them. When the women councillors want to put women’s interests on the political agenda and also create space to pursue their political career, they have to face up to the existing power relations in their communities, where patriarchal norms dominate the public and political scene.  
TaalEngels
CategorieResearch
Soort documentRapport
OpmerkingenPaper presented at the Biennial Conference Of the African Studies
Association of the UK 5ASAUK) London: 11-13 September 2006-10-20
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