Our Interviews

Ms. Afaf Ahmed Abdel Rahman shares here experience with iKNOW Politics online network. She has been an active member since 2009. Ms. Afaf is the former Minister of Social Development, Khartoum State, Sudan.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"6015","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"…

“As a woman you have to work twice as hard as men in order to be recognized.” - Dewi Coryaty iKNOW Politics: Besides being member of the Parliament you have been also a leading figure in your party. What challenges did you face as a woman in occupying these leading positions? And how did your…

“It’s not a world you can enter without being prepared. I’m convinced that being involved in politics implies a certain personal culture. You can’t be the kind of woman who’s at a loss for words; you have to stand up for yourself and learn to take what comes your way.” - Celestine Adjonahoun iKNOW…

As part of iKNOW Politics' Women Leaders Series, we asked Lajla Pernaska, Member of Parliament from Albania, how networking has helped her in her political career. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"6033","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

"Political parties have to be more respectful of women. Women are the largest segment of the electorate and they have to head their lists with women candidates. Women’s access to new technologies should not be limited, because it is very important for the continent’s economic development. Women are…

“My simple approach to anything I do is to do the best I can – to use my office well while I am there and to understand that that office is not a place of personal privilege but a high seat of responsibility.  So every decision I take must be a decision that furthers the good of others.” -…

“…but with more women being educated, I’m sure that the number of high-caliber and quality women to assume leadership in the near future is not going to be reduced.  I think the quality of women who enter into politics will increase very soon.” - Pauline Sukhai iKNOW Politics: Let’s start by…

“The lack of political participation by women marks an important democratic deficit. All structures that make democracy more effective are also structures that can contribute to increasing women’s participation, though this is not automatic. At least this is a lesson from my own personal experience…

“To my sisters and my daughters who want to embark on politics, I have only one piece of advice: you have to believe!” - Ascofaré Ouleymatou Tamboura iKNOW Politics: To start, can you tell us what challenges you had to overcome as a woman in positions of political leadership? How did your past and…