Form policy environment, women have also been constrained by existing sociology-cultural norms through which they are regarded as inferior or second class citizens.
Although the position of African women in traditional societies continues to be undocumented, there has been a tendency to use culture and tradition to undermine that placement. This has had a negative impact in promoting sustainable development. Culture has been used to justify the subordinate position of women within the household, a factor which excludes women from property ownership. Culture has also been used to justify the earlier unequal division of labour. Some cultural norms concerning age of marriage and marriage rights have in addition limited women's participation in formal schooling. And yet, African states claim that African culture is actually dynamic and change-oriented. When it comes to issues of gender inequity, African culture seems to become protecting the culture of oppression.
For culture to play that dynamic role, women themselves need to create an alternative culture that challenges the one endorsed by African states. This is the context in which women's initiatives need to be analyzed. Besides the policy environment, women have also been constrained by existing socio-cultural norms during which they are perceived as inferior or second class citizens.
Although the position of African ladies in traditional societies remains undocumented, there has been a tendency to use culture and custom to undermine that position. This has had a negative impact in promoting sustainable development. Culture may be used to justify the subordinate position of women in the household, a factor which excludes ladies from property ownership. Culture has also been used to justify the existing unequal division associated with labour. Some cultural norms concerning age of marriage and marriage rights have also limited ladies participation in formal schooling. And yet, African states claim that African culture is dynamic as well as change-oriented. When it comes to issues of gender inequity, African culture seems to be safeguarding the culture of oppression.
For culture to play that dynamic role, women themselves have to produce an alternative culture that challenges the one endorsed by African states. This is the context in which women's initiatives need to be analyzed.
Although the position of African women in traditional societies continues to be undocumented, there has been a tendency to use culture and tradition to undermine that placement. This has had a negative impact in promoting sustainable development. Culture has been used to justify the subordinate position of women within the household, a factor which excludes women from property ownership. Culture has also been used to justify the earlier unequal division of labour. Some cultural norms concerning age of marriage and marriage rights have in addition limited women's participation in formal schooling. And yet, African states claim that African culture is actually dynamic and change-oriented. When it comes to issues of gender inequity, African culture seems to become protecting the culture of oppression.
For culture to play that dynamic role, women themselves need to create an alternative culture that challenges the one endorsed by African states. This is the context in which women's initiatives need to be analyzed. Besides the policy environment, women have also been constrained by existing socio-cultural norms during which they are perceived as inferior or second class citizens.
Although the position of African ladies in traditional societies remains undocumented, there has been a tendency to use culture and custom to undermine that position. This has had a negative impact in promoting sustainable development. Culture may be used to justify the subordinate position of women in the household, a factor which excludes ladies from property ownership. Culture has also been used to justify the existing unequal division associated with labour. Some cultural norms concerning age of marriage and marriage rights have also limited ladies participation in formal schooling. And yet, African states claim that African culture is dynamic as well as change-oriented. When it comes to issues of gender inequity, African culture seems to be safeguarding the culture of oppression.
For culture to play that dynamic role, women themselves have to produce an alternative culture that challenges the one endorsed by African states. This is the context in which women's initiatives need to be analyzed.
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