The Politics of Gender Reform in West Africa: Family, Religion, and the State

This anthropological study examines the implementation and reception of gender reform in West Africa, exploring the politics of a legislative process driven by the state to narrow the gender gap. It discusses the potential impact of reform on women's conditions and assesses the reception of the reform among Catholics and Muslims. The study highlights the interaction of various power relationships in shaping the success or failure of gender reforms in West Africa.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press

This anthropological study makes a vital contribution to scholarly discussions on the creation of African modernity by examining the implementation and reception of gender reform in the West African context.

Historically, attempts to implement gender reform in West Africa have often faced skepticism and resistance. Beyond concerns that such reforms undermine traditional authority structures and community cohesion, there are apprehensions that these initiatives are closely linked to Western imperialism and colonialism. Ludovic Lados' The Politics of Gender Reform in West Africa delves into the politics surrounding a legislative process driven solely by the state and aimed at reducing the gender gap in Ivorian society.

Lado explores the legislative processes by which states have sought to narrow the gender gap between men and women, examines the potential impact of this reform on women's conditions by examining the practice of civil marriage in Abidjan, and assesses the reception of the reform among Catholics and Muslims in Côte d'Ivoire. Throughout this accessible and engaging study, Lado examines how the interplay between secular powers and religious authorities has shaped the direction of gender reforms. While the primary focus of this text remains on gender reforms in Côte d'Ivoire, Lado also discusses their similarities in Niger, Senegal, and Mali. He demonstrates that the success or failure of gender reforms in West Africa has hinged on the complex interplay of various power relationships that structure the international, national, local, religious, and domestic arenas within which West Africans navigate their lives.

The book concludes with an informed reflection on the relationship between religions, the state, and gender reforms, highlighting some of the key issues at stake in the domestic realm. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of the complex dynamics and challenges associated with gender reform in West Africa, shedding light on the intricate interplay between state power, religious authority, and societal norms. It provides valuable insights into the processes and outcomes of gender reform efforts and offers valuable lessons for policymakers, activists, and scholars engaged in this critical field.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780268205072