A growing number of single women are running for public office. In order to beat their opponents, they may need to shatter some unfair stigmas first. Lily Espinoza Ploski is a Latina single mom to a 14-year-old son. She's also frustrated with a society that she says has told her time and again that her only value comes as a wife and mother; to many, it's this single status that's the real reason behind rising poverty rates and a general perception of "family decay" in America.

Most African countries are signatories of numerous protocols that encourage gender equality in politics, yet analysts say more still needs to be done to implement these protocols and ensure women are not sidelined.

Women in the region and beyond are breaking the glass ceiling in politics as evidenced by the likes of former Malawian president Joyce Banda and other women who have managed to occupy important positions in national governments and multilateral organisations.

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The capital of Tunisia is likely to see its first female mayor, following the country's municipal elections this week.

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Media’s negative projection of women politicians is discouraging others from joining the male dominated field, the Zimbabwe Gender Commission has observed.

In her opening remarks to a media sensitization workshop Zimbabwe Gender Commission Chairperson Margaret Sangarwe said the recently concluded Zanu PF primary elections painted a gloomy picture regarding the participation of women in politics.

As African countries push for respect and promotion of gender equality, political will is key to accelerate attainment of gender equality on the continent.

The remarks were made Thursday by Donatille Mukabalisa, the Speaker of Parliament, while officiating at a gender conference in Kigali held under the theme, "Changing dynamics and accelerating Progress". It brought together over 200 delegates from across the continent.

Hajia Maryam Bagel, a member representing Dass constituency, Bauchi state Assembly has lament the non-participation of Northern women in active politics.

She made the observation while briefing newsmen Friday in Bauchi, saying it’s time women take active part in politics and begin to compete against the men.

The European Union (EU) is worried that since its huge investment in Nigerian politics, there had been no improvement in women participation.

The EU expressed worries over the low level of Nigerian women participation in politics in spite of several efforts to encourage them since 1999.