A gendered critique of the African Peer Review Mechanism in Africa. Issue 2 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chiweshe, Manase Kudzai
• Is Part Of: Africa review. Volume 8:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: African Peer Review Mechanism -- gender -- Africa Union -- women -- Africa; Africa -- Periodicals; Africa -- History -- Periodicals; 960.05
• DOI: 10.1080/09744053.2016.1186869
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0974-4053

Abstract

Abstract : In March 2003, the African Union launched the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as one of the key instruments of its New Partnership for Africa's Development initiative. Whilst being lauded in some quarters as a progressive initiative, the APRM has received scathing critique from those who believe that African leaders neither have the will nor moral authority to peer review and censure each other. This occasional paper provides an analysis how gender has been integrated, mainstreamed and taken up within the APRM process. The discussion outlines the evolution of the gender question in Africa specifically issues around gender discrimination, inequality and difference. It argues that gender has received token attention within the APRM. The everyday experiences of African women and their dreams, hopes, fears and ideas are not reflected within this initiative. Its concerns with macro democratic and governance questions have meant women are relegated to the periphery. For so long women's issues have been ghettoized and defined as irrelevant to governance. Yet experiences in Africa have shown that women's issues are governance issues. The paper also focuses on how gender can be infused as a critical element of the debate around democratization in Africa. Without addressing gender disparities most of what Africa aspires for in terms of good governance and development will remain a pipe dream. The paper provides recommendations to policy makers on how the APRM process can take up gender issues. It is based mainly on desk research which draws on official AU documents, country reports, reviews, journal particles, reports and working papers.