- 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:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) election posters, which feature party leader Helen Zille, Cape Town mayoral candidate Patricia de Lille and party spokeswoman Lindiwe Mazibuko, do not necessarily mean that a vote for the party is a vote for women, analysts say.
FEMALE legislators have asked president Yoweri Museveni to increase the number of women in the Cabinet.
Chief electoral officer Pansy Tlakula called on Friday for a quota system to improve women's representation in the public and private sector.
Source: PR-USA.net
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping, has today, 04 May 2011, met in his office at the AUC Headquarters in Addis Ababa, with 7 of fourteen Women Ambassadors accredited to the African Union who visited Sudan from 13 – 17 April 2011 on a solidarity mission with Sudanese women. They have briefed the chairperson about their visit.
Queen Tinyiko Nwamitwa-Shilubana has often found herself at the crossroads of South African history and has helped usher in democracy and expand women's rights. She has also helped define the role of traditional leaders in the fight against HIV.
Senior United Nations officials today stressed the need to promote the participation of women in decision-making, noting that democracy and gender equality are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.
Source: NIGERIAN Tribune
President Goodluck Jonathan has again stated that his promise made on the 35 per cent representation of women in governance will be fulfilled.
Source: Al Jazeera
A new ruling guarantees Tunisian women a place in the country's new political landscape [GALLO/GETTY]
Tunisia's ruling that men and women must feature in equal numbers as candidates in July polls is an Arab world first that builds on this year's revolt and allays fears of conservative influence, observers say.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
Former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, is on a mission to empower a generation, one woman at a time. As the founder and President of the 31st December Women’s Movement, a grassroots NGO, Nana Rawlings is a firm believer that women hold the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Source: The Atlanta Post
For the first time in the history of Egypt, a woman is running for president. Buthayna Kamel, a 49-year-old talk show host, has announced her candidacy for the presidential election that will be held later this year.
Supreme Council of the Armed Forces is expected to soon ratify amendments to four laws presumably intended to create a more competitive and transparent political climate in Egypt.