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: Leadership
analysis By Zipporah Musau

In the fight for gender equality, women around the world have advanced in small and large ways. Yet for women in Africa, progress is measured in micro steps, and the struggle has a long way to go.

Source: The Namibian

Female Swapo parliamentarians have only tabled five of the 60 motions in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2018.

Source: Vanguard
About 31 women are to be part of President Muhammadu Buhari's team in his second term in office. These women who come from different backgrounds have been carefully selected to head various ministries and agencies in a bid to encourage Nigerian women.

Source: DW.com
Few countries have more women in politics than Rwanda. They make up 60 percent of the lawmakers, 50 percent of the cabinet and half of the supreme court judges. But how much influence does this translate into.

Source: Capital FM
Nairobi — The vote on the two-thirds Gender Bill has flopped once again due to a quorum hitch in the National Assembly.

Source: Talk Nigerian
Women’s representation in the Federal Government has now steadily declined for three general elections cycles, women hold less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly and 11 State Houses of Assembly including Kaduna State have zero women in office.

Source: Malawi News Agency
By Daniel Nyanjagha

Mulanje — Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) has called on political party leaders to support women aspirants in order to help such candidates attain elective leadership positions.

Source: Premium Times
By Ibrahim Mohammed

Women have turned out in large numbers to vote in the presidential and National Assembly elections in Kaduna State.

Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation
Experts predict the number of women who win seats in Nigeria’s Saturday elections is likely to fall below the existing 6 percent - already one of the lowest rates in the world. 

Source: Dalsan Radio

Puntland named the lowest number of female cabinet ministers compared to other regional states.

Out of the full cabinet, only two are female out of the 48. The full list has 18 ministers, 21 Assistant Ministers and 9 state Ministers.

Source: News Ghana
Civil Society Organisations in Good Governance promotion in Africa have urged leaders across the continent to prioritise efforts, which would increase the participation of women in governance, saying they would provide the difference critical for Africa’s transformation.

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