Among African countries, Uganda is unique in its affirmative action program for women. In the late 1980s, President Yoweri Museveni announched his belief that Uganda's successfull development depended on increased gender equity and backed his opinions by setting several women-centred policies in motion, including a 1989 rule that at least thirty -nine seats in the Ugandan parliament be reserved for women.

In this fascniating study, based on in-depth interviews with both male and female parliamentarians, women in in non-governmental organisations, and rural residents of Uganda, Sylvia Tamale explors how women's participation in Ugandan politics has unfolded and what the impact has been for gender equity. this book examines how women have adapted their legislative strategies for empowerment in light of Uganda's patriarchal history and social structure. The author also looks at the consequences and implications of women's parliamentary participation as a result of affirmative action handed down by the state, rather than pushed up from a grassroots movement.

Although focusing on Uganda, Tamale's study is relevant to other African and non-African countries, grappling with the twin challenges of democracy and development.