The paper looks at the process of achieving gender equity through law reform. By tracing the process of amending the Constitution and other overtly discriminating laws in Zambia. The paper questions the effectiveness of legal centralism in circumstances which clearly indicate the existence of legal pluralism.
Whilst acknowledging the importance of a formal legal frame work with which to challenge the manifestation of discrimination, the paper argues that law should be treated with care because it maybe innately incapable of ensuring protection and the upholding of rights. Even where it is available, it may not be resorted to for myriad reasons.
Thus the paper suggests that the search for gender equity should not stop at the law, nor should it be derailed by successes in law reform. Real change requires a broader strategy.
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