Strengthening African networks on gender and development for policy implentation

Abstract

Gender equality is a fundamental human right and an essential condition in the process of transforming African economies from being fragile and in poverty reduction measures being undertaken by most African governments. Publications from research in have proliferated, testifying to the opening up of a vast new field of research and to the generation of a new body of knowledge that focuses on gender relations in the household, at the community, and in the wider society. Gender research has also highlighted issues in relation to economic cultural and political development. Studies on women in Africa conducted by African women have emerged more recently, in the 1980s' Since the implementation of the Beijing platform of action there has been more research on gender issues. This paper argues that it is fundamental for knowledge generated through gender research, to influence policy on gender concerns, at country and regional level, especially with the impacts of Globalisation of the economy. This further suggests a strong case for networks to facilitate both the cross- fertilisations of ideas on issues of gender as well as sharing experiences in the implementation of gender policy and concerns.