Genderpaper-WorldBankGroup性别研究-世界银..doc

AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTION FORUM (ALGAF) Paper Presented by Shingirayi Mushamba For the African Local Government Action Forum (ALGAF) Session 10: Gender - Building Strength Through Inclusive Governance June 1 2001 Gender: Building Strength Through Inclusive Governance ‘We only have to look at the proportion of women in parliament and in local government to realize that something is wrong. When women form just over half the population, how can we explain only 5% women amongst members of parliament, and only 2% amongst local government councilors. What are the reasons or this tiny proportion of women in local government? Are women not interested in local government issues? On the contrary, subjects such as water supply, sanitation, health care and housing are of special concern to women. Very often women are more knowledgeable about such matters than men, and therefore better qualified to take decisions’ [Eva Sanderson, Chairperson Caucus of Women Councilors in Zambia, 1995 p ii] Summary This paper examines the subject of gender in urban. In part 1, the paper seeks to establish the link between gender and municipal challenges, demonstrating that gender is infact a solution to urban challenges, and not as is often thought, an addition to urban problems. In Part 2, important concepts are defined for the benefit of the reader. The section is followed by a cursory look at the global initiatives to promote women in development. The conclusion arrived at in this section is that there are tremendous efforts at the global level, which, unfortunately are not complimented at the local level, especially in municipal governments. The paper argues that local governments are at a loss as to what needs to be done to achieve inclusive governance through women’s participation. In other words at the level of practical strategies, serious gaps exist. By way of conclusion, the paper proffers some ideas and interventions to achieve inclusive governance and women’s participation. Th