Women & Law in East Africa

Abstract

This bibliography is a culmination of four years literature review project carried out by the Women and Law in East Africa researchers. Literature on socio-legal issues affecting women in East Africa has remained relatively inaccessible and therefore unknown to many researchers. A major reason for this is that the sources of written but unpublished materials are not known. In addition, many unpublished reports and conference papers are either with the authors or with the organizations that sponsored their preparation. It is rare as the Women and Law in East Africa researchers found out, that such materials are sent to public or university libraries, or other resource centers where they can be easily accessed. The researchers therefore undertook to unearth unpublished materials as much as possible and most of which served as a reference point for the regional project on inheritance, customs and practices which was completed in 1995. The materials compiled in this bibliography comprise articles written in academic journals and newspapers, books, undergraduate dissertations and post graduate theses, reports and conference papers. These were analyzed and produced under six themes namely: Women and Environment; Divorce, Maintenance and Marriage; Property Ownership and Inheritance; Women in Development; Women and Health and Women's Rights and Law. The selection of these themes was based on the available information and are therefore not exhaustive. Under each theme is a sub-theme on a specific area which makes it easier for the reader to easily locate specific information. The bibliography will be updated every two years to integrate new information and writings from the region, and, it is anticipated that in this process new themes will be developed. It is hoped that this bibliography will serve as a reference point for women's rights activists, research and teaching institutions, students and other interested organizations on the various works on women in East Africa.