Angola: Women in the peace and development process (continued)

Political Processes and Institutions. Participation of women in Angola's civil processes have been at best, weak. Extensive interviews conducted among Angolan women reveal that typically women have little or no information about candidates and policies for upcoming elections. Furthermore, women attached to groups or organisations lack understanding on issues such as how to meet or organise needs. The main reason advanced for these problems is the lack of communication. Newspapers do not usually have a wide circulation. In addition to this, women do not have the time to read as they are too busy in the fields or markets. Furthermore, newspapers, television, radios and other forms of communication cost money which is better spent on food. Transport and telecommunications are virtually non-existent in Angola owing to the conflict situation and this further hampers communication in general. Another problem cited is that of language - it is pointed out that many Angolans do not speak Portuguese (the language in which most major communications take place) but speak rather one of the other six national languages.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building. In terms of the government, it is argued that women, although not intentionally excluded from participating, fall into a 'gender blind' situation. This is with regards to the fact that projects funded from outside the country tend to offer training to people who are already parliamentarians or government officials. Because there are very few women in these positions, capacity building efforts only seem to serve the male groups. Also, capacity building initiatives exclude women in that they are generally offered to anyone "interested" or "qualified".

Political Parties. It can be argued that members of government usually gain their positions based on their histories within political parties. In the Angolan case, there are very few women who are actively involved in political party activity and the few who are members of parties rarely hold any leadership positions.

The Constitution and the Legal System. The Angolan Constitution and legal system grant women equal rights and responsibilities along with men. What has been enshrined on paper however has by no means been physically enacted. Ongoing conflict has virtually obliterated the tenants of current legislation and, as it is, women are unaware of any legal rights they may have.

Advances made by women

Bleak though the picture might be it must be remembered that women (or what has been termed 'elite' women) (Women in Development 1997) have, to a limited degree, been involved in the political processes in Angola; elite here is understood to mean women with means in terms of education, financial means and governmental links. The MPLA, Angola's current ruling party, as far back as 1962 recognised the importance of women (albeit in the struggle) and supported the formation of the Organisation of Angolan Woman (OMA). The OMA was vital in the changes that were made in the legal statutes with regards the oppression of women (Campbell 1993).

Furthermore, various women's movements have sprung up indicating that women are acutely aware of the importance of their role in Angola's future. Among these movements is the League of Angolan Women, the Angolan Action for Development and the Pan African Women's Organisation.

References

CAMPBELL, H 1993 "Angolan Women and the Electoral Process in Angola, 1992", Africa Development, 7(2).

WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT 1997 "Women's Participation in Angola's Reconstruction and in its Political Institutions and Processes", A Women in Development Technical Assistance Project, July.