- 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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The Africa Ministerial Pre-Consultative Meeting convened in Addis Ababa to prepare for the upcoming 61st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) concluded successfully with a unified Africa position, “One Africa One Voice”.
Source: Daily Observer
Ahead of the 2017 General and Presidential Elections, the Liberia National Women's Political Forum (LNWPF), the Coalition of Political Parties' Women in Liberia (COPPWL) and the Women's Legislative Caucus (WLC) have issued strong messages calling for more women as candidates on the tickets of political parties.
Source: Daily Observer
Women aspirants in the upcoming October Presidential and Representative Elections, pushed strongly for elected posts at a one day strategic dialogue on women's political leadership held on Wednesday, January 18.
Source: Daily Observer
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has called on political parties in the country to increase women's participation and go beyond what was agreed to with the international community and ensure that at least 35 percent of all opportunities are given to women to enter elections race.
Source: World Policy Journal
NAIROBI, Kenya—When Bina Maseno was 23, she decided to run for Council Assembly in Nairobi City County and reached out to a few experienced female politicians for advice. She expected to hear suggestions for navigating party power dynamics or articulating campaign messages for a broader audience. But what she got was a primer in protecting herself from sexual assault by male politicians and putative voters.
Source: The Ethiopian Herald
Just like other developing countries and few developed nations as well as the days of yore, women in Ethiopia until recent past were pushed from the boons of social life owing to the deeply entrenched and culturally programmed positive bias or preferential treatments accorded to males.
Source: Daily Nation
More women are throwing their hats in the ring for political posts in western and southern Kenya, in what is expected to be one of the most competitive elections in recent history.
Source: Media Focus on Africa
Women representation in political life has yet to reach meaningful ratio vis-à-vis their proportion of the nation. Between 1963 and 2013 only 74 women made it to the National Assembly, 49 elected and 25 nominated. The 2013 election in Kenya was the first General Election to incorporate elective and nominated affirmative action seats for women.
Source: The Guardian
Despite recent reforms, and a reputation as one of Africa's most progressive democracies, Kenya is failing to close the gender gap in political representation.
Source: The Tower
Two Israeli women of Ethiopian descent were sworn in as judges by President Reuven Rivlin on Tuesday, marking a first in the country’s history.
Source: The Independent
Chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Rebecca Kadaga has urged fellow legislators to help end violence targeted at women during elections.