- 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
The Women in Parliaments' Global Forum (WIP) Summit 2015 was held in Addis Ababa, Monday to Wednesday this week March 23-25) under the theme "New Leadership for Global Challenges". Last year at their Summit in Kigali, the Women in Parliament's Global Forum adopted the Kigali Declaration that called on world leaders and parliamentarians to improve education and healthcare levels, combat poverty and gender-based violence, as well as discriminatory practices and attitudes.
Source: Daily Trust
Coalition of women bodies under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress Action Group and Labour Party in Ekiti State have disagreed with the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, over his order that voters should go back home after casting their votes during the general elections.
Source: Geeska Afrika
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Women diplomats, university students and ambassadors residing in Ethiopia, celebrated the 104th International Women's Day at the Hilton Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Source: GhanaWeb
Civil Society organisation, SEND-Ghana, has appealed to the Minister of Gender Ministry to speed up the process of getting the Affirmative Action draft bill into law.
Source: Commonwealth.org
"Greater efforts are required to reach the global target of 30% representation of women in political decision-making roles," said Commonwealth Secretariat Deputy Secretary-General Josephine Ojiambo.
Source: Ghanaweb
The National Women Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Madam Otiko Djaba, has observed that the upcoming District Assembly Elections give the nation a brilliant opportunity to increase the representation of women at the local governance level.
Source: Daily Independent
A near balanced inclusion in governance awaits Nigerian women as soon as President Jonathan is sworn into office for a second term as the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has assured of a review of the current 35 per cent affirmative action to 45 per cent in the next administration.
Source: SABC
The ninth parliament of Lesotho has elected Ntlhoi Motsamai as Speaker of the National Assembly.
Source: GhanaWeb
Women organisers of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People's Party (CPP) are advocating reforms to their party constitutions to allow for more women to seek political office.
Source: New Era
The Deputy Prime Minister-designate Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah believes the 6th National Assembly will be dynamic, effective and constructive as the 43 women elected to the august House are more than ready to take up their positions in the legislature.
Source: The Nigerian Observer
A Non Governmental Organisation, the Echoes of Women in Africa Initiative (ECOWA), has called on the federal government to ensure the safety and security of women during the upcoming general elections.