- 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
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Rwanda is the first country in the world where women outnumber men in parliament, with women occupying 45 out of 80 seats. However, despite this, experts say that the country still needs a gender equality perspective on how national resources and programmes are implemented.
Source: All Africa
Uíge — The deputy governor of Uije province for technical and infrastructure affairs, Afonso Luvilukua, on Monday here said that the Angolan women have achieved satisfactory advancement in her emancipation, being notorious her presence in the decision-making organs, Angop has learnt.
Next Friday, the Rwanda Women Parliamentary Forum (FFRP) will celebrate 15 years of existence and, if the news conference members held is anything to go by, they are pretty pleased with themselves.
As Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf reshuffles his cabinet, trying to placate the boiling Egyptian street with a more representative government, women have started to speak up, demanding greater representation in politics.
Source: the New Times
The National Women's Council (NWC) in Nyagatare District elected a new leadership committee.
Source: the Star
Councilor Lilian Osundwa was yesterday elected the first woman mayoress of Mumias Municipal Council. She succeeds nominated councillor Rashid Omwendo who has held the seat from July 2009.
Source: Leadership
The dynamics of modern development weigh heavily on empowerment of the womenfolk. Gone are the days when development is measured by income alone.
Experts on Gender Equality and Democracy have unreservedly supported Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, the founder of the 31st December Women's Movement and now the increasingly popular presidential female candidate for the next 2012 elections, to raise Ghana further on the global stage for promoting democracy and women's status.
Source: The New Times
The latest UN Women report released yesterday in New York, once again, positions Rwanda as the country with the highest representation of women in politics and participation in the development of their country.
Source: Champion Newspapers
Nigerian Women Trust Fund, an initiative of the Federal Government setup to give technical and financial support to women aspiring for various elective positions in the country irrespective of their political party affiliations has been
Source: Vanguard
The two ministers, Hajiya Zainab Maina and Stella Oduah-Ogiemwonyi,who were sworn-in on Saturday, with their 12 other colleagues but were not assigned to any ministry, have been assigned their portfolios.