“Freedom of Information and Women’s Rights in Africa” is a toolkit guide published by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) with the support of UNESCO. The book provides guidance for women’s organizations in Africa on how to organize around freedom of information. It has compiled five case studies from five African countries, namely, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia under different scenarios.
Freedom of information is gaining tremendous interest among civil society organizations in developing countries. Information empowers ordinary citizens to ensure accountability and transparency in the workings of government. It provides powerful means for NGOs to monitor the activities of the government and also educate the community on how to seek information about various legislations and policies directly or indirectly affecting them.
As women continue to remain one of the most marginalized groups in African countries, the guide can assist NGOs in adopting new tools in ensuring gender rights and equality. The five case studies discussed in the book provide ideas and experiences faced by organizations lobbying for drafting and passing of a law where ordinary citizens have access to governmental information. From countries like Ghana and Cameroon, where no such law has even been drafted to countries like South Africa where such legislation exists. Studying these case stories from different countries can assist organization to lobby for such a law and if it exists, how it can be used to create awareness within the community, especially for women empowerment. In general, the book aims to mobilize women’s NGOs to take up freedom of information for ensuring rights and justice for women.
The book can be downloaded from this link.
