The story of the "now-women": changing gender norms in rural West Africa. Issue 2 (17th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cislaghi, Beniamino
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 28:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 257
• Page End: 268
• Publication Date: 2018-02-17
• Subjects: Gender and diversity -- Civil society – NGOs -- Aid – Aid effectiveness -- Social sector – Education -- Sub-Saharan Africa; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2018.1420139
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This article offers a qualitative investigation of how human rights education sessions, embedded in a multi-faceted intervention, helped members of a rural community in West Africa challenge inequitable gender norms that hindered women's political participation. Results show a change in women's political participation and community members' descriptions of women's potential. Three features of the intervention contributed to this change: (1) its pedagogical approach; (2) its substantive content; and (3) the engagement of men and women together. The article calls for interventions that facilitate sustained dialogue between men and women to achieve greater gender equity.