Reimagining the Gendered Nation: Citizenship and Human Rights in Postcolonial Kenya

This book explores the complex and intersecting dimensions of gender, ethnicity, and culture on women in the Global South, highlighting the central roles of women in resisting colonial rule and their foundational contributions to post-independence constitutional reform and nation building. It emphasizes the need to understand the effects of local colonial and postcolonial histories on the production of gendered identities and power in modern Kenyan cultural and political life.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: James Currey

The complex and multifaceted interplay of gender, ethnicity, and culture on women in the Global South is explored in this comprehensive book, shedding light on their central roles in resisting colonial rule and their foundational contributions to post-independence constitutional reform and nation-building. Despite the significant attention and efforts directed towards women in the Global South by the international human rights community and their own governments, human rights frameworks often fall short in effectively improving the lives of these women and their communities.

To address this issue, the book takes Kenya as a case study, delving into the reasons behind the persistent challenges faced by women in the country. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the enduring impact of local colonial and postcolonial histories on the formation of gendered identities and power in modern Kenyan cultural and political life. Through in-depth interviews with women from both urban and rural areas around Lake Victoria in Kenya, the author examines their access to and experiences of civil and political rights and citizenship, tracing these legacies from the colonial encounter to the present day and the implementation of the 2010 Constitution.

The book is organized into four thematic chapters, each shedding light on different aspects of women's experiences in the Global South. In the first chapter, Kenny explores women as victims and objects of cultural violence, challenging the pervasive myths that perpetuate their marginalization and oppression. The second chapter delves into the notion of the sorority of African women, debunking the false narratives that suggest solidarity and unity among women across different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The third chapter examines women as victims of political and state violence, highlighting the ongoing struggles they face in accessing their rights and participating in the political process. Finally, the fourth chapter explores women as actors in national political processes, challenging the notion that their voices and perspectives are often overlooked or silenced.

Through its insightful analysis, the book provides valuable new insights into the difficulties women face in accessing their rights in the Global South. It challenges the prevailing narratives that perpetuate women's disenfranchisement and marginalization, highlighting the need for a more intersectional approach to human rights that takes into account the diverse experiences and challenges faced by women across different social, economic, and cultural contexts.

This book will be of immense value to scholars, researchers, and NGOs working in developing states, as it offers a comprehensive and empirically grounded understanding of the complex dynamics that shape women's lives in the Global South. It provides a roadmap for policymakers and advocates seeking to promote gender equality and women's rights, offering practical recommendations for addressing the challenges women face and building more inclusive and equitable societies.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of gender studies and human rights, offering a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the complex and intersecting dimensions of gender, ethnicity, and culture on women in the Global South. It sheds light on the historical legacies that continue to shape women's lives and provides valuable insights into the challenges they face in accessing their rights and participating in the political process. By challenging the dominant narratives and promoting a more intersectional approach to human rights, this book contributes to the ongoing efforts to build more inclusive and equitable societies for all.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781847012999