Lessons Learned/Case Studies:

• Too few women fight their way to the top positions of power within their parties. If they would do this, their high profiles in their parties would go a long way to nominating them to party lists

• Most success in party politics depends on relationships developed over the years within the party and even in the civil society

• Political party officials appreciate activists who are willing to work hard at all aspects of party work, especially raising funds. So work hard

• Too few women stand out in their parties because they fear speaking in public. This is easily remedied. Get coaching

• To be taken seriously within their parties women must project a professional, serious, tough demeanour. Don’t be emotional – be cool.

Recommendations:

• Women who want their party’s nomination should work out a strategy to present to the party leadership showing them how it is the party’s best interests, or the leader’s best interests, to nominate them. For example, there are more women voters in Kenya than men voters. The party should therefore field a policy platform appealing to women. And who better to carry the party banner than a woman who can prove she can appeal to those women, and men too? Make sure it’s you.

• With the elections not far away it is of course too late to begin a long-term relationship-building exercise so women have to work in the few months remaining to project themselves and their winnability to the party leadership. In Canada we have found out that women are as electable as men. Therefore convince your party officials you can win the district for them.

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About Alvah Hanrahan

Ms. Hanrahan is a consultant and trainer on Women's Political Participation and Political Party Strengthening. She is a former President of the National Women’s Liberal Commission in Canada and former Women's Director of the Liberal Party of Canada.