When Hens Begin to Crow

In this insightful study of governance and gender, Sylvia Tamale investigates the arrival and role of women in Ugandan parliamentary politics. Drawing on extensive field interviews with female and male members of parliament, leaders within non-governmental organisations, and ordinary citizens in rural areas, the author analyses how women navigate the formal legislative sphere.

The book considers how female politicians have adapted their strategies to address systemic patriarchal attitudes and traditional societal expectations. It also offers a detailed assessment of affirmative action policies implemented by the state, weighing the realities of top-down political reform against grassroots initiatives. This vital volume provides essential reading for university students, researchers, policy planners, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of democratic leadership and women's representation in Uganda.