- 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: News24
Nelson Mandela Bay has the lowest number of women in its council among the country's eight metros, the Commission for Gender Equality revealed in a study released on Tuesday.
Source: Daily Nation
The European Union is collaborating with Kenya to devise alternative methods of getting more women elected in the next elections.
Source: allAfrica
Gaborone — British High Commissioner to Botswana, Ms Katy Ransome, says it is important to have more women in politics because they bring different perspective on issues and things that they discuss.
Source: The New Times
President Paul Kagame yesterday participated in a high-level meeting showcasing the Sahel women empowerment and demographic dividend initiative themed: ‘Strengthening partnership to accelerate Africa’s demographic dividend.’
Source: openDemocracy
Women have been trailblazers in Africa, but who knows about it? We must recognise that storytelling is just as important a weapon in the fight for gender parity as political representation.
Source: The East African
The clan factor will be the biggest obstacle for Somali women seeking leadership positions as the country heads for elections this month.
UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is in South Africa from 10 - 19 August for the national celebration of “Women's Month”. This year South Africa is marking several important milestones for women's rights, including the 60th anniversary of the 1956 “women's march”, which convened 20,000 women of all races marching to South Africa's Union Buildings to protest apartheid laws requiring black women to carry permits to be able to work in or pass through 'white' areas'; the 40th anniversary of the Soweto uprising; and the 20th anniversary of South Africa's Constitution.
Source: Inter Press Service
Despite their prominence on the world stage, female political leaders like Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel are part of a tiny minority of women who have risen to the top of politics.
Source: allAfrica
Last week, ZANU-PF and the State media hit new lows in their attempts to discredit Zimbabwe People First leader, Joice Mujuru, who is going around the country, mobilising support for her party. The Sunday Mail of August 21, 2016 was the most vicious.
Source: GE Report Africa
In South Africa, August is celebrated as Women’s Month, in recognition of over 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria – the official seat of government – on 9 August 1956, protesting against the extension of apartheid pass laws to women. Women’s Day, on 9 March, is a public holiday recognising the contribution these women made to the liberation struggle.
Source: allAfrica
A fresh attempt to achieve gender parity in elective positions will be made on Thursday when a Motion to table a Bill on the two thirds gender rule, sponsored by nominated Senator Judith Sijeny is presented before the Senate.