Political Participation & Leadership

It has been argued that where women are fully represented, societies are more peaceful and stable. Women's political participation is fundamental for gender equality and their representation in positions of leadership must be a priority for all African governments. Women are largely under-represented in decision-making and leadership positions in Africa.

Over the last years, there has been more women in parliaments and decision-making positions than before. In the parliamentary elections of Rwanda in September 2013 women obtained 64 percent of the seats, which is the highest number in the world. However, women's participation in governmance and decision-making remain very limited. They are outnumbered by men in all decision-making and leadership positions.

In the history of Africa, there are now three women who have been elected president:

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – President of the Republic of Liberia
Joyce Banda – President of the Republic of Malawi
Catherine Samba-Panza – Interim President of the Central African Republic

There is progress here and there on the continent regarding women's rights . We must go much further to ensure greater gender equality in Africa. It is not just a matter of justice....When women take their rightful place at the negotiating table, in the parliament and in leadership positions across society, we can unleash Africa’s enormous potential..." UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

To learn more about women's political participation, please visit the following websites:

Source: the Star
Councilor Lilian Osundwa was yesterday elected the first woman mayoress of Mumias Municipal Council. She succeeds nominated councillor Rashid Omwendo who has held the seat from July 2009.

Kenya

Source: Leadership
The dynamics of modern development weigh heavily on empowerment of the womenfolk. Gone are the days when development is measured by income alone.

Nigeria

Source:
Experts on Gender Equality and Democracy have unreservedly supported Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the founder of the 31st December Women's Movement and now the increasingly popular presidential female candidate for the next 2012 elections, to raise Ghana further on the global stage for promoting democracy and women's status.

Ghana

Source: The New Times

The latest UN Women report released yesterday in New York, once again, positions Rwanda as the country with the highest representation of women in politics and participation in the development of their country.

Rwanda

Source: Champion Newspapers

Nigerian Women Trust Fund, an initiative of the Federal Government setup to give technical and financial support to women aspiring for various elective positions in the country irrespective of their political party affiliations has been

Nigeria

Source: Vanguard
The two ministers, Hajiya Zainab Maina and Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi,who were sworn-in on Saturday, with their 12 other colleagues but were not assigned to any ministry, have been assigned their portfolios.

Nigeria

Source: The Herald
"Behind every successful man is a woman" goes the old saying. If this is true, as it seems it is, what impact have the African First ladies had on their husbands, who are generally said to have mismanaged Africa

Source: All Africa
The National Gender Machinery said it is working hard to guarantee better performance for women outings in future elections, especially the forthcoming Local Government Elections considered critical in laying

Nigeria

Source: the New Times
First Lady Jeannette Kagame said that Rwandan women play a critical role in the country's healing and reconstruction process.

Rwanda

Source: Daily Trust
PDP presidential aspirant in the April elections, Mrs Sarah Jibril, yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to appoint more women in his cabinet.