Mind the gap - A case study on the national implementation of the Beijing action plan and CEDAW

Abstract: Tanzania is an illustrating case of how gender inequalities hinder the social, economic and political development of the country. Women’s subordinated position is an alarming factor which takes intricate forms grounded in traditional African culture and patriarchy. The struggle of existing laws does hence not reach out to the majority of women, leaving them unaware of their rights. Further, a number of global policy initiatives have been attempted but little has been achieved due to the complexity of historical, political and cultural factors which collides with the western feminist ideas to obtain equality. Against this background, this study attempts to understand who the involving actors are and how they interact in order to find out why there is a gap between policy and practice. This will hence be exemplified by investigating the national policy implementation of the Beijing action plan and The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).