In this paper, we have examined gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) as reflected in th... more In this paper, we have examined gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) as reflected in the millennium development goals (MDGs) as well as the conceptualization and localization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The paper adopts Amartya Sen’s women agency conceptual framework to advance the thesis of this article that while there is general consensus on achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, the MDGs adopted in 2001 fell far short of fulfilling this consensus and that the incoming SDGs must respond to fundamental issues of GEWE from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. This paper addresses the issues of conceptualization, context, and design of MDGs and how lessons learnt in its implementation inform SDGs. The question is, will GEWE maintain any pride of place? Analysis in the paper reveals that qualitative indicators such as human rights, equity, and capabilities were silent in the MDG design, constructs, and implementation. The paper suggests that the understanding and putting in place of mechanisms for continuous assessment of the human-centered indicators, such as quality of life, as part of the SDGs’ localization efforts portend increasing effectiveness of SDGs toward addressing gender-sensitive issues of social exclusion, inequality, and resource distribution, which have a great bearing on sustainable development.
This chapter introduces the concept of women born equal and its theoretical foundation in social ... more This chapter introduces the concept of women born equal and its theoretical foundation in social change. The chapter acknowledges the development of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 within the global framework of Women, Peace and Security (WPS). The WPS framework is anchored in five tenets: (1) increased participation and representation of women at all levels of decision-making; (2) attention to specific protection needs of women and girls in conflict; (3) a gender perspective in post-conflict processes; (4) a gender perspective in UN programming and reporting, and in SC missions; and (5) gender perspectives and training in UN peace support operations. These tenets are reinforced by the three pillars (popularly known as the “3Ps”); protection, prevention and participation. Together with relief and recovery, the three pillars form the basis of analysis throughout this volume.
In this paper, we have examined gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) as reflected in th... more In this paper, we have examined gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) as reflected in the millennium development goals (MDGs) as well as the conceptualization and localization of the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The paper adopts Amartya Sen’s women agency conceptual framework to advance the thesis of this article that while there is general consensus on achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, the MDGs adopted in 2001 fell far short of fulfilling this consensus and that the incoming SDGs must respond to fundamental issues of GEWE from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. This paper addresses the issues of conceptualization, context, and design of MDGs and how lessons learnt in its implementation inform SDGs. The question is, will GEWE maintain any pride of place? Analysis in the paper reveals that qualitative indicators such as human rights, equity, and capabilities were silent in the MDG design, constructs, and implementation. The paper suggests that the understanding and putting in place of mechanisms for continuous assessment of the human-centered indicators, such as quality of life, as part of the SDGs’ localization efforts portend increasing effectiveness of SDGs toward addressing gender-sensitive issues of social exclusion, inequality, and resource distribution, which have a great bearing on sustainable development.
This chapter introduces the concept of women born equal and its theoretical foundation in social ... more This chapter introduces the concept of women born equal and its theoretical foundation in social change. The chapter acknowledges the development of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 within the global framework of Women, Peace and Security (WPS). The WPS framework is anchored in five tenets: (1) increased participation and representation of women at all levels of decision-making; (2) attention to specific protection needs of women and girls in conflict; (3) a gender perspective in post-conflict processes; (4) a gender perspective in UN programming and reporting, and in SC missions; and (5) gender perspectives and training in UN peace support operations. These tenets are reinforced by the three pillars (popularly known as the “3Ps”); protection, prevention and participation. Together with relief and recovery, the three pillars form the basis of analysis throughout this volume.
This chapter tries to create a better understanding of the African PSO environment, by instructiv... more This chapter tries to create a better understanding of the African PSO environment, by instructively re-examining the evolution and contours of the ASF structures, particularly in relation to the peace operations in Africa. A decade ago, some scholars questioned the sustainability of ASF. For example, how was it configured to fit into the existing institutions and norms? Was the ASF conceptualised as a multidimensional outfit? How does it fit into the national peace and security architectures? Are there ‘invisible hands’ in the establishment of this structure? If yes, for whom was the ASF established to serve? In view of this conceptual and policy lacuna, some would argue that there is need to address civil-military tensions and determine the required institutional coherence.
A central question in the contributions to this research theme concerns the apparent characteriza... more A central question in the contributions to this research theme concerns the apparent characterization of autochthony and how the struggles of belonging and exclusion of "strangers" facilitate or hinder nation-building efforts in deeply divided ethnic societies. Against this backdrop, we recognize that leading anthropologists i and other social scientists ii have extensively studied the subject of autochthony since its ancestry in Athens in the 4 th and 5 th centuries. Classics have traced the process 'autochthonousism' whereby the earthborn autochthon are viewed as a symbol of a people's rightful habitation of a geographical space. This is especially famous in the Greek mythological study of Athenians in the Attica. iii However, Africa is no exception in regard to the study of autochthony. The notion of autochthony received attention among scholars who had begun to question a true 'conjuncture of belonging' in Africa in the 1990s. iv In still other cases, the study of autochthony from a colonial perspective has fronted politics of belonging, territorial identity and ethnicity as critical issues facing contemporary Africa. v However, as we will argue in this synopsis, these basic elements need to be reconceptualized differently considering the post-colonial Africa shaped by renewed social, economic, political and cultural realties. It is for this purpose a critical reflection of autochthony is investigated. Autochthony can be seen, it is argued here, as an organic process of differentiating citizenship. The differentiation was deepened by the colonial regimes by a way of institutionalizing racial hierarchies and ethnic categories. vi This colonial legacy cascaded into creation of ethnic categories of metropolitan citizens vs. natives. Focusing on colonial legacy and nativism concurs with anthropological perspectives of 'indigeneity', such as identifying indigenous people with geographical locality with first order connection vs. 'others' or with group and locality, or with belonging and originariness. Indigeneity, is therefore, a process of attachment and identification that differentiates natives from 'outsiders'. vii Whereas, both groups claim ancestry to the land, the autochthon dominates the 'allogenes' ('others'), while, the indigeneity struggles to claim their rights on the land and other natural resources. The concepts of autochthony and indigeneity share considerable historical similarities in meaning and classification; a perception of the 'others' and 'late-comers' in relation to the utilization of territorial space. However, whereas autochthony is mainly defined on the basis of hierarchy of conquerors, indigeneity is based on ancestral or genealogical proximity to the so called 'people of the land.' Socio-legal scholars have identified three elements that defines indigeneity: 1) moral rights; 2) historical injustices; and 3) Protection. viii The three elements have been linked to the need for the native people to access land. Thus, while autochthony can substantially be equated to 'first-comers', indigeneity is defined as native peoples. ix Similarly, the concepts of autochthony and indigeneity can contribute to the understanding of other notions such as nationalism and territorialized belonging. If so, what
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Papers by Dr. Francis Onditi