Enhancing the Status of Women Through Law

On attainment of independence, African governments faced inequality among those subject to their rule. A major example of such inequalities is the case of women, suffering from fewer opportunities, lower status and less respect for their dignity than men. The Post-Independence period has witnessed significant strides made by African states towards the achievements of equal educational, political, and economic opportunities to both men and women family laws

One of the major contributing factor in holding down women’s status has been limits on their rightful participation in, and the notion of marital relationships as defined by the various family laws.

Most African governments, appear to have been slow in appreciating the importance of family law as an instrument in meeting such long standing aspiration. Although there has been an increase in literature on family law in Africa, very few writers has directed their attention to the question of how family laws help or hamper the status of women in African societies.

This book is a modest attempt, in the on-going debate on the status of African women to examine generally and briefly, the position of family law and related legislations and their effects on the status of women in selected African states.

About the Author
Justice (RDT) Mwaikasu was born 27th January 1938, at Ndobo – Kyela. He holds LLB (EA) and LL.M (London). Appointed as Judge – High Court of Tanzania on 17th October 1982. Served as Chairman – Law Reform Commission of Tanzania; Chairman – Industrial Court of Tanzania; Judge – High Court of Bostwana; Lecturer and Dean – Faculty of Law at Tumaini University College. He is currently serving as Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean, Faculty of Law, Ruaha University College.