FEMINISM AND WOMEN'S POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS: EXAMINING THE ROLE OF THE LAW

Abstract

Feminism is a concept that has grown to become very relevant in legal theory despite its socio-cultural phenomenon. The rise of feminism began with a fight against male domination, usually within the context of the family and sexual advantages of the male. However, through the evolvement of the law, many of the challenges faced by women in marriages and reproductive life have been resolved through legislation and case laws affirming and upholding women's equal rights in society. However, recent yearnings of the feminists' movement across Africa and the global world have been for equal participation in politics and governance. This is evident in States like Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Zimbabwe amongst others. Despite the heightened quest for equal political participation, the response of the law to cater for these yearnings have been very low and women still feel subjugated in politics and governance. Beyond the feminism of 'patriarchy', feminists' theory has moved to contesting political influence and leadership equality with the men. This paper examines how the law can respond to these agitations by drawing on experiences from jurisdictions in Africa.