I have done some research in this area and have found that the key factors that explain the increasing rates of female representation in Africa have to do with 1) the end of conflict, which women's movements have taken advantage of to advance their goals. Thus post-conflict countries have double the rates of legislative representation compared with non-post conflict countries in Africa 2) the introduction of quotas, which has also resulted in double the rates of representation compared with non-quota countries; 3) pressures from regional organizations like the Southern African Development Community (SADC), thus SADC countries have triple the rates of female legislative represenation compared with non-SADC countries; and 4) the role of left-leaning parties in power (ANC in South Africa, SWAPO in Namibia, FRELIMO in Mozambique, etc.). Other indirect factors include the role of women's movements. I have a co-authored book coming out with Cambridge University Press that discusses this topic in one chapter. African Women’s Movements: Transforming Political Landscapes. Aili Tripp, Isabel Casimiro, Joy Kwesiga, and Alice Mungwa (co-authors). New York: Cambridge University Press. Forthcoming. I hope this response helps. From Aili Tripp, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
http://www.polisci.wisc.edu/users/tripp/

Dear Nora,

Thank you very much for a very interesting question. To answer to your question, we consulted with iKNOW Politics experts and held in-depth research on factors contributing to the rise of women in parliaments in Sub-Saharan Africa. We have compiled the research findings and expert opinions in the consolidated response that can be accessed by clicking here or under the "Consolidated Responses" section of our library. The consolidated response highlights a number of factors stimulating the advancement of women in politics in Africa, including gender quotas in politics, national women’s movements, and the spillover effect of democratic values throughout the continent. Below is the list of resources and expert responses used for compiling the answer to your question.

We hope this consolidated response will be helpful to you.

Sincerely,

iKNOW Politics Staff

LIST OF CITED/REFERENCED RESOURCES

Miguda, Edith. “iKNOW Politics Expert Opinion on the question related to Rise of Women in Parliaments in Sub-Saharan Africa”. 2008. http://www.iknowpolitics.org/en/node/4896

Zakiya, Afia. “iKNOW Politics Expert Opinion on the question related to Rise of Women in Parliaments in Sub-Saharan Africa”. 2008. http://www.iknowpolitics.org/en/node/4894

Turay, Harriett. “iKNOW Politics Expert Opinion on the question related to Rise of Women in Parliaments in Sub-Saharan Africa”. 2008. http://www.iknowpolitics.org/en/node/4897

Karam, Azza. Women Political Participation and Good Governance: 21st Century Challenges. Chapter: Review of Strategies and Trends. Publisher: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 2000. http://www.iknowpolitics.org/en/node/126

Dahlerup, Drude. Comparative Studies of Electoral Gender Quotas. Publisher: Quota Project. 2003. http://www.quotaproject.org/CS/CS_Dahlerup_25-11-2003.pdf

Skomand, Sven. Scandinavian Opposition to Apartheid. Publisher: African National Congress. 1970. http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/solidarity/scanopp.html

Tripp, Mari Aili. Transnational Feminism: Despite Africa's Continued Woes, Great Strides are Being Made in Women's Participation in Decision-Making Structures. Publisher: Catholic New Times. April 9, 2006. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MKY/is_6_30/ai_n16128126

Reynolds, Andrew. South Africa: Electoral System Design and Conflict Management in Africa. Publisher: International IDEA. http://www.idea.int/esd/upload/south_africa.pdf

Diouf, Marie Jeanne and Ivory, Christine. Women’s leadership in Parliament: Increasing the number and impact of women. Publisher: African Network for the Promotion of Women in Parliament. Publisher: Parliamentary Center. 2006. http://www.parlcent.ca/africa/Gender/docs/Report%20VC%20Gender%20network%20Feb%202006.pdf

iKNOW Politics’ Interview with Winnie Byanyima, Director of UNDP Gender Team/ Bureau for Development Policy. 2007. http://iknowpolitics.org/en/node/2679

Declaration of the Sixth African Regional Conference on Women. Publisher: UNECA. 2000. http://www.uneca.org/eca_resources/Major_ECA_Websites/beijingplus5/index.htm

Mitumi, Gumisai. Women break into African politics. Publisher: Kubatana. October, 2004. http://www.kubatana.net/html/archive/women/041028gm.asp?sector=WOMEN&year=2004&range_start=1.