Sub-Saharan Africa

Women have played an integral role in local politics of sub-Saharan Africa for generations. In many societies, women exercised political power through veto rights, participated in women-only councils or held positions of authority — both inherited and elected. Despite these traditional roles, women in sub-Saharan Africa won voting and formal political rights much later than women in many other countries. However, women’s political participation in this region is on the rise again.

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From the Library

Parliament, the Budget and Gender

This handbook sets out practical examples of parliament's active engagement in the budgetary process. It seeks to advance parliament's own institutional capacity to make a positive impact on the budget, and to equip parliament, its members and parliamentary staff with the necessary tools to examine the budget from a gender perspective.

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Nigeria: Political Transition and the Complexities of Gender Empowerment

This paper describes the presence of women in institutionalized politics in Nigeria.

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Gender and Elections in Lesotho: Perspectives on the 2002 Elections

This paper analyzes access and participation of women in Lesotho's 2002 elections. It also describes history of gender equality in Lesotho, and highlights international and regional agreements serving as a tool for promoting women in politics.

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Democratic Consolidation and Political Parties in Lesotho

This paper analyzes political processes in Lesotho, including features and weakness of political parties, and highlights the factors leading to the under-representation of women in Parliament.

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Intra-Party Democracy and the Inclusion of Women

This article analyzes the representation of women in political decision making positions and processes in SADC member states. It also describes intra-party electoral systems and procedures as well as quotas and special measures applied in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Gender, Women and Electoral Politics in Zimbabwe

This paper analyzes electoral processes, national legislative framework, and the impact of international and regional agreements on Zimbabwe's elections. It also describes specific problems faced by women as candidates such as hostility from men, insufficient funding, and resistance to quotas.

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South Africa: Women and Local Government

This article describes the participation and representation of women in local government elections in South Africa.

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Engendering Democracy Through the Ballot Box in the Mauritius 2005 Elections

This paper describes the status of women in Mauritius and progress made in women's political participation in the country. It analyzes the 2005 elections in Mauritius and highlights the role of civil society in increasing the numbers of women in the Mauritian National Assembly in 2005.

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Women Participation in Party Politics during the Multiparty Era in Africa: The Case of Tanzania

This report assesses women's membership of political parties in Tanzania, and women's historical and current participation in party politics. It also describes the processes for nomination of presidential and parliamentary candidates in Tanzania, the impact of quotas for women in parliament in Selected African countries, and recommendations for addressing the existing gender imbalances.

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