On 29 May 2024, six months after the presidential polls, Madagascar held its parliamentary elections. The ruling party, IRMAR, secured the most seats, 84 out of 163, followed by Firaisankina, which gained 22 seats. Malagasy women remain underrepresented in the National Assembly, securing 16% of the seats compared to 84% among men.
Six months after conducting their presidential elections in November 2023, Madagascans reconvened on 29 May 2024 to elect the members of their National Assembly. The ruling party, Isika Rehetra Miaraka Amin’i Andry Rajoelina (IRMAR), led by President Andry Rajoelina, won 84 out of 163 seats. Firaisankina became the second biggest party with 22 seats, followed by Fivoi with 4 seats. Of the remaining 53 seats, independents secured 50 and Kolektifa, GJMP and the Green Party won one seat each. The 2024 polls were the first held since the Malagasy Government decided to increase the statutory number of members of the National Assembly from 151 to 163.
The 2024 Malagasy parliamentary elections were marked by political tension, with opposition members reporting receiving threatening and intimidating calls. Observers from the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) noted that election day processes were peaceful.
Women’s Political Participation
Few Malagasy women participate in elections, consequently, their representation in the National Assembly remains low. In the 2024 polls, women made up 17% of the 473 candidates and secured 26 of the 163 seats (16%). In 2019, women comprised 17.9% (27 out of the 151) members elected. The members of the National Assembly, the lower house of the Malagasy legislature, serve 5-year terms.
Malagasy women, however, are well represented in other areas. In the 2024 legislative elections, women made up 48.47% of voters. Interestingly, observers from the AU noted that over 75% of electoral staff in the polling stations were women.
Beyond serving in parliament, women in Madagascar hold other political leadership positions. Four out of the six provinces in Madagascar are governed by women serving as Heads of Provinces. Ms Christine Razanamahasoa was the first woman to serve as President of the National Assembly following her appointment in 2014. She was re-elected in 2019. In March 2024, the Constitutional Court removed her from office for violating her role as a Speaker after her criticism of the government. There is currently only one female senator - Ms Raharinirina Sidonie.
In August 2024, President Andry Nirina Rajoelina presented the new Malagasy government, led by Prime Minister Christian Ntsay, asserting the gender balance of the new cabinet. Of the 27 ministers, 11 are women. They are:
- Ms Volamiranty Donna Mara, Minister of Communication & Culture
- Ms Stephanie Delmotte, Minister of Digital Development, Digital Transformation, Postal, & Telecommunications
- Ms Rindra Hasimbelo Rabarinirinarison, Minister of Economy and Finance
- Ms Rafaravavitatika Rasata, Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Ms Chaminah Loulla, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Ms Niritsoa Harinandrasana Rahajavololoniaina, Minister of Interior
- Ms Hanitra Fitiavana Razakaboana, Minister of Employment, Public Service, and Social Laws
- Ms Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, Minister of National Education
- Ms Aurelie Razafinjato, Minister of Population and Solidarity
- Ms Marie Marcelline Rasoloarisoa, Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training
- Ms Viviane Dewa, Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts
In addition to the ministers, two secretaries of state also are part of the 29 member Malagasy government. One of which is a woman – Ms. Tahina Razanamahefa serves as Secretary of State for Food Sovereignty.
Legal and policy reforms on women’s rights
Madagascar has enacted legislation strengthening women’s rights and furthering gender equality. In 2019, Madagascar established Law No. 2019-008 relating to the fight against gender-based violence with clear provisions to address and penalise gender-based violence and provide compensation and protection to survivors. The Law is a step towards addressing the high rates of violence against women and girls in Madagascar. The legal age of child marriage has been set to 18 for both boys and girls (although exceptions could be made by the President of the Court of the First Instance). In 2018, Madagascar further implemented the 2018 - 2024 National Strategy to End Child Marriage to reduce the rate of child marriage from 41.2% to 31%. Other national policies to promote women’s rights and development in society include the National Policy for the Advancement of Women for a balanced development between men and women and the National Policy for Equality between Women and Men (the latter policy has not been finalised at the time of writing.)
The country has also enacted legislation proscribing discrimination against women. For example, the Labour Code prohibits gender-based discrimination in employment. Under Law No 2007-022, women can sign contracts the same way as men.
Challenges to women’s political participation
Social, cultural and economic barriers, systemic inequalities and poorly enforced laws can partly explain the low representation of women in political life in Madagascar. For example, traditional views, customs, and conservative cultural and social norms restrict women’s political participation and influence measures to strengthen female political representation. Traditions and customs in some parts of Madagascar and a lack of acceptance by Parliament for a quota system played a role in the rejection of the quota bill.
Perceptions of women’s role in society negatively impact their political participation. In Malagasy society, there is a perception that decision-making belongs to men and women should stay at home and out of public life. SAFIDY Observatory, a Malagasy civil society organisation working towards good governance in Madagascar, noted that obstacles such as concerns about community and family backlash, self-doubt, and fears of violence, both verbal and physical, have contributed to the decline in the participation of female candidates in the 2024 elections.
Another obstacle for women seeking elected office concerns raising the necessary financial resources. To stand for office, Decree No 2024-244 mandates that candidates pay twenty million Ariary (MGA 20,000,000) and must provide tax certificates when registering their candidacy. Although they make up 71% of the labour force, women are disproportionately affected by poverty and remain overrepresented in care-work and subsistence farming roles.
Additionally, the Constitution of Madagascar enshrines the principle of non-discrimination, while other legislation maintains discriminatory provisions, such as the right to inheritance. The law does not give sons and daughters equal rights to inherit assets from their parents, nor does it grant female and male surviving spouses equal inheritance rights. Moreover, the law does not guarantee women equal remuneration for work of equal value or prohibits discrimination in access to credit based on gender.
Women in Madagascar advocating for change
Madagascar does not have a quota or other temporary special measure for women’s political participation. Several efforts have been made in the past to introduce a quota system. In 2012, a female member of parliament, Ms Lanto Rakotomanga presented one such bill on establishing a quota system to Parliament. It was, however, rejected.
Civil society organisations have long advocated for increased representation of women in Madagascan political and public life. The Women & Youth’s League for Democracy, a program of Liberty32, works towards increased participation of women and youth in public life by hosting small workshops in rural villages and towns. These workshops educate women on government and political rights and support those interested in running for office. Similarly, the Madagascar Chapter of Women Lead Movement Madagascar initiates, mobilises, organises and manages multiple community engagement initiatives and projects that advocate for gender equality, as well as an active and participatory citizenry.
Another organisation actively promoting Malagasy women’s political participation is the National Women’s Council of Madagascar (CNFM). CNFM offers training courses to women running in elections and provides information on electoral regulations, the roles of different public officials, campaign management, political communication and leadership. With their training courses, CNFM hopes to counteract perceptions of women’s role in society and “give female candidates the confidence to seek office.”
Conclusion
In the 2024 Malagasy parliamentary elections, the ruling party secured the most seats, obtaining 84. Firaisankina gained 22 seats. Independents represent 50 of the new members of the National Assembly. Following the 2024 elections, women comprise 16% of the lower house's members compared to 84% of men.
Overall, Malagasy women’s political participation remains low. There is currently one female senator out of 18. Although the President has insisted on gender parity in the government, women comprise 12 out of the 29 members of the government of Madagascar.
While challenges and barriers impede Malagasy women’s full and equal participation in political and public life, the government has enacted legislation and taken policy initiatives to strengthen women’s rights in the country. Malagasy women activists and organisations play a key role in advancing women’s rights and female political participation at the national and local levels through their advocacy work and initiatives such as providing training for aspiring female political leaders. As the country prepares for the senate elections in 2025, women’s groups, activists and female political leaders, both elected and hopefuls, will continue leading the way to a more inclusive and equal Malagasy society.