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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Universalism versus Cultural Relativism: Family Law Reform in Uganda |
Author: | Asiimwe-Mwesige, Jackie |
Year: | 2002 |
Periodical: | Agenda: Empowering Women for Gender Equity |
Issue: | 54 |
Pages: | 75-84 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Uganda |
Subjects: | family law feminism women law Cultural Roles Law, Legal Issues, and Human Rights Family Life Marital Relations and Nuptiality |
External link: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10130950.2002.9676180 |
Abstract: | The women's movement in Uganda has advocated to have the present family law changed to reflect the country's commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as the 1995 Constitution, which recognizes women's rights as human rights. Its efforts, however, have met with dismal success. Those opposed to women's family rights have argued that the proposed changes are Western, and not indigenous to Africa/Uganda. As a result of this resistance, the women's movement has had to alter its women's rights stance for more accommodative language and rights proposals. Thus, for example, instead of the outright abolition of bride price and polygamy, the call has changed to a regulation of these practices. The present paper explores the ramifications of this compromise position with specific regard to the issues of bride price and polygamy. It argues that, instead of challenging the status quo, the compromise might be creating the impression that discrimination against women can be tolerated. The question for enquiry becomes whether or not the women's movement in Third World countries should cede to cultural relativism, or whether there is a middle ground where cultural relativism and international norms of women's rights can meet and congeal. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract |