african activists and women s movements eg action for development in uganda the national women s lobby group in zambia the national committee on the status of women in kenya and the women of zimbabwe arise as well as forum mulher in mozambique have played key roles in the local national and international networks promoting a collective voice the influence of women s movements has been a factor in the transformation of national constitutions in several countries this has resulted in more genderequitable access to civil law generally understood as a better vehicle for women s political participation the protection of women s rights and the realization of their citizenship