- 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 Informer
The Representative of the Mano River Union (MRU) in Cote d' Ivoire, Angui T. Assouakon, has called on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), particularly women of the subregion to work in unity and collaborate with one another if they which to make progress for the 30% quota of female representation in national decision-making and politics.
A demographic survey has revealed that one of the reasons for the low women representation in the national and local governance system in the Northern Region is that husbands threaten their wives not to vote for women candidates contesting against men.
Source: The New Dawn
Superintendent-designate, Etweda Cooper has promised empowering for the youths and women of Grand Bassa County, if confirmed by the Liberian Senate. Speaking during confirmation hearings at the Capitol Building on Monday, Miss Cooper said development for youths and women remain a concern in every quarter of the country and Grand Bassa is no exception.
Source: ANGOP
Ruling MPLA party's female wing (OMA) secretariat is meeting on Tuesday, in Luanda, to programme the activities for this year, ANGOP has learnt.
Source: Nigerian Tribune
Questions have been raised in several fora, which seem hitherto elusive. Why are Nigerian women playing a second fiddle in politics? Why the male chauvinists in politics are confining the role of women only to rendering care of the families at home is a puzzle many of us can not yet unravel. As Sara H. Longue, a gender equity advocate once said, "women's endless toil, productive and reproductive contributions sustain families and communities."
Forget about working overtime. As ruler of the Ghanaian town of Otuam, King Peggielene "Peggy" Bartels is responsible for the welfare of a population of nearly 7,000 — and that’s not even her day job.
Source: The New Times
A report compiled by Turkish lawmakers has identified Rwanda as having one of the best constitutions in regard to gender equality worldwide.
Source: ANGOP
The Angolan women assumed prominent role in national politics since the beginning of the country's liberation struggle, said the MP of National Assembly, Emilia Carlota Dias.Speaking to Angop, the MP, who holds the post of second secretary of Parliament table, explained that during the guerrilla there were women who played active role in battlefield tasks.
Source:
The MP of National Assembly (Parliament) Emilia Carlota Dias urged the political parties to increase the number of women in the lists they submit to the legislative elections, aimed at greater gender representation in decision-making organs.Speaking to Angop, the MP, who also holds the post of second secretary of Parliament table, recalled that only the ruling MPLA and UNITA opposition parties have female participation in their parliamentary groups.
The assistant Ombudsperson, Maria da Conceição de Almeida Sango, has defended that the women who currently hold leadership or other relevant posts in the country, in various areas, have achieved these positions through their own commitment, and not exclusively because of the state policy on gender.