Source: UNIOGBIS News
The law was unanimously voted by the 81 MPs present. The National Assembly (ANP) thus concluded two days of discussion under the leadership of the chairman of the Specialized Commission for Women and Children, Ms. Martina Moniz.
The Quotas Law will only come into force 60 days after promulgation by the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. Before being submitted to the Head of State, it will still be reviewed by the specialized committees of the Parliament and revalidated by the plenary in September. It should enter into force before the next legislative elections, scheduled for November 18.
The United Nations in Guinea-Bissau and partners have already developed a robust training and support plan for women activists and potential women candidates for the upcoming elections.
Guinea-Bissau is now part of a group of more than 80 countries that have taken corrective and temporary measures to advance women's participation in politics and decision-making.
According to United Nations reports, in countries where quota laws exist, the average representation of women is 25%, while for countries where they do not exist, the average is only 19%.
As stipulated in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), quota laws and other corrective measures are temporary and will be discontinued when equal participation of women and men is achieved and maintained.