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: AllAfrica

It is crucial that we increase women's participation in political and decision-making structures, from grassroots level and up, says Blessing Vava.

Source: allAfrica

Looking at our economy, Kenya recorded a decrease in the unemployment rate to 11 percent in 2017 from 11.29 percent in 2015, with the all-time high being 12.18 percent in 2010 and a record low of 8.10 percent in 1999.

Source: allAfrica

Rukungiri — After weeks of heated campaigns, voters will today cast their ballot in the Rukungiri Woman MP by-election.

Uganda

Source: allAfrica

TED TALK - delivered at the International SHEROES Forum, Labadi Beach Hotel, May 18, 2018

Ghana

Source: allAfrica

Maputo — : Maria Helena Langa is one of the five women who heads a municipality, out of the 53 existing ones in Mozambique.

Mozambique

Source: allAfrica

"A lot still needs to be done to give women more room for participation in politics. It does appear that the huge and overwhelming representation of women at most political rallies has not transformed to increased opportunities for women to contest election".

Nigeria

Source: allAfrica

A colourful ceremony was held in Accra yesterday to relaunch the Association of Women in the Media (ASWIM), an all female affiliate of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

Source: allAfrica

On 23 April 2018 Girl Child Empowerment conducted a community dialogue meeting in Masthebe community in Bulawayo. The activity was cemented with the passion of lifting the banner for young girls and women towards participating in 2018 national elections.

Zimbabwe

Source: allAfrica

Of the 70 elected Senators, 22 of them are women as compared to 2013 polls where female Senators occupied 17 seats.

Cameroon

Source: allAfrica

Zimbabwe's new Constitution promulgated into law in 2013 brought many robust changes that were achieved through wide consultative forums where millions of people participated throughout Zimbabwe.