Sex Equality

• Women's representation in public and political positions improved, but there was little change
• Establishment of a gender equality, commission incorporating weakened grassroots movements, patriarchal values persisted in rural authority
• Crime levels against women rose (particularly rape) due to the threat gender equality posed to the patriarchal order; “corrective rape” was such an example; done against black lesbian women
• 1998 constitution recognised gay/lesbian rights, and legalising same-sex marriage, wide opposition because of “traditional African values”