Gender and Law Conference: Statement by Dr. K.Y. Amoako, executive secretary of the economic commission for Africa

Abstract

Statement by Dr. K.Y. Amoako, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa at the Gender and Law Conference. Mr. Amoako, on his remarks pointed out that, This Conference is an important one because the process reflects the understanding of our two organizations that it is countries themselves which must articulate the issues and problems and define the strategies and solutions. Many African women, particularly rural and urban poor women, therefore believe that their countries' legal systems are either irrelevant to their lives or constitute systems which reinforce constraints and inequities. This is because, in many cases, they are not aware of nor do they understand the provisions. At ECA, the promotion of gender equality is a cross-cutting programme. We want to use our 40th anniversary in April 1988 as a time to reflect on the major contributions of African women to the development of their countries.