The chapter investigates the long-term relationship between the patriarchal system and women’s empowerment in Eritrea. Women in Eritrea underwent a ‘forced emancipation’ mainly attributable to the liberation struggle, and the policies promoted by the current ruling party. The differing mortality rates in terms of gender, mobilisation, and migration within the Eritrean population have resulted in women having greater responsibility and power in society. This has shifted the roles of women from those that tradition had given, despite their experiences in the national liberation struggle and the existence of national policies that promote gender equality in Eritrea. Therefore, this paper offers a counter-narrative that highlights colonial and liberation periods and moves beyond it to pay more attention to independent Eritrea (1991-2018), which is less explored in literature, particularly in relation to the link between the (failed) democratisation process and patriarchy’s dilution.

Failed Democratisation and Female Empowerment: The Case of Eritrea

Valentina Fusari
2020-01-01

Abstract

The chapter investigates the long-term relationship between the patriarchal system and women’s empowerment in Eritrea. Women in Eritrea underwent a ‘forced emancipation’ mainly attributable to the liberation struggle, and the policies promoted by the current ruling party. The differing mortality rates in terms of gender, mobilisation, and migration within the Eritrean population have resulted in women having greater responsibility and power in society. This has shifted the roles of women from those that tradition had given, despite their experiences in the national liberation struggle and the existence of national policies that promote gender equality in Eritrea. Therefore, this paper offers a counter-narrative that highlights colonial and liberation periods and moves beyond it to pay more attention to independent Eritrea (1991-2018), which is less explored in literature, particularly in relation to the link between the (failed) democratisation process and patriarchy’s dilution.
2020
Challenging Patriarchy The Role of Patriarchy in the Roll-back of Democracy
Heinrich Boell Stiftung
34
50
9789966139818
Eritrea, Democratisation, Migration, Mobilisation, Liberation Movements, Empowerment
Valentina Fusari
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2020 - Failed Democratisation and Female Empowerment (Challenging Patriarchy).pdf

Accesso aperto

Dimensione 3.23 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
3.23 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/1868864
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
social impact