Women in Djibouti
Women in Djibouti
- Amina Saïd ChiréAmina Saïd ChiréUniversity of Djibouti; Independent Research Institute for the Horn of Africa; LADYSS (University of Paris VIII Vincennes-Saint Denis)
Summary
Social changes in Djibouti—from prehistoric times, through the colonial era, and into independence—have repercussions on the status of women. Despite the willingness of Djiboutian authorities and the efforts they have made, the economic and political promotion of women in the Republic of Djibouti has produced mixed results. The cultural context of Djibouti, dominated by patriarchal values, explains the top-down nature of policies designed to promote women, their poor economic and political underpinnings, the profile of women called upon to show female political leadership, and the structural and situational constraints at the root of women’s limited political engagement. Knowledge of the general cultural and historical context is necessary to understand this history. A qualitative analysis of public policies designed to empower Djiboutian women in the 21st century measures the progress made and identify the obstacles encountered.
Subjects
- Women’s History