16 Mar 2012 - Women constitute 51% of Sierra Leone's population, yet only 16 out of 112 elected parliamentarians are women. Furthermore, even though 12 parliamentary seats are reserved for Paramount Chiefs, women hardly occupy these seats. Not surprisingly, therefore, as we draw closer to the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, the current debate on electoral quotas is viewed by many feminists as critical for an increase in women's political representation. However, there is less clarity in the current discourse about which of the three types of quotas--constitutional, legislative and voluntary is being advocated for, and how such quotas can be applied especially in an electoral system where only one candidate represents a political party in each constituency. Such omissions in the debate limit understanding on which type of quota can be most effective in numerically improving women's representation in high level political positions, and whether or how different types of quotas can be combined to yield the desired effect.
For the full story, see All Africa.
16 Mar 2012 - Women constitute 51% of Sierra Leone's population, yet only 16 out of 112 elected parliamentarians are women. Furthermore, even though 12 parliamentary seats are reserved for Paramount Chiefs, women hardly occupy these seats. Not surprisingly, therefore, as we draw closer to the 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections, the current debate on electoral quotas is viewed by many feminists as critical for an increase in women's political representation. However, there is less clarity in the current discourse about which of the three types of quotas--constitutional, legislative and voluntary is being advocated for, and how such quotas can be applied especially in an electoral system where only one candidate represents a political party in each constituency. Such omissions in the debate limit understanding on which type of quota can be most effective in numerically improving women's representation in high level political positions, and whether or how different types of quotas can be combined to yield the desired effect.
For the full story, see All Africa.