Africa Women's Political Leadership
This group is open to all women who wish to discuss women's political participation in sub-Saharan Africa. The Club of Madrid African Women Leaders Project brought together women from Nigeria, Uganda and Sierra Leone in a conference in Brussels in October 2008. During the conference, women leaders discussed the following topics: - The need for networking, caucusing and coalition building - leadership skills - affirmative action - engaging women in peace and security systems - implementing international legal frameworks - transforming attitudes toward women in politics in the media Some of the strategies and solutions proposed by the participants included: establishing a support network for women to provide advice, confidence building and security; educating women and girls; building coalitions and making use of international networks; establishing women's trust funds and enhancing women's economic independence; building on international legal frameworks and establishing quotas. Participants agreed that there is much progress in the sub-Saharan Africa region on women's political participation. Out of 21 countries in the world that have achieved more than 30% women in national legislatures, six of those are in Africa. And Rwanda continues to lead the world in the number of women elected. This discussion circle is intended to continue the dialogue initiated at the conference, but is open to all who are interested in empowering women in Africa in decision-making.
279
This group is open to all women who wish to discuss women's political participation in sub-Saharan Africa. The Club of Madrid African Women Leaders Project brought together women from Nigeria, Uganda and Sierra Leone in a conference in Brussels in October 2008. During the conference, women leaders discussed the following topics: - The need for networking, caucusing and coalition building - leadership skills - affirmative action - engaging women in peace and security systems - implementing international legal frameworks - transforming attitudes toward women in politics in the media Some of the strategies and solutions proposed by the participants included: establishing a support network for women to provide advice, confidence building and security; educating women and girls; building coalitions and making use of international networks; establishing women's trust funds and enhancing women's economic independence; building on international legal frameworks and establishing quotas. Participants agreed that there is much progress in the sub-Saharan Africa region on women's political participation. Out of 21 countries in the world that have achieved more than 30% women in national legislatures, six of those are in Africa. And Rwanda continues to lead the world in the number of women elected. This discussion circle is intended to continue the dialogue initiated at the conference, but is open to all who are interested in empowering women in Africa in decision-making.
279