AFRICAN WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

AFRICAN WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS:

A KEY TO GENDER INCLUSIVITY/EMPOWERMENT

It is of great importance that African women should intentionally get involved in all aspects of the political process. Women's political participation results in tangible gains for democracy, including greater responsiveness to citizen needs, increased cooperation across party and ethnic lines, gender inclusivity and more sustainable peace in the continent. African Women’s political participation has profound positive and democratic impacts on communities, legislatures, political parties, and citizens’ lives, and helps democracy deliver.

It is strategic as an African woman with a vision in politics to ensure that all our approaches and solutions are rooted in an in-depth understanding and analysis of the culture and context of specific countries and regions.

Include women from across all sectors of society, reaching beyond the large urban areas and into the communities where women have traditionally struggled to make their voices heard.

African women must bring together women from across political, religious, ethnic and cultural lines to build the cross-party networks needed to work together for the common good of all women in each nation.

Women groups and NGOs in Africa must build a democratic culture across Africa by forming partnerships for positive collaborations to share ideas and develop a sustainable network towards more women's participation in politics in Africa. For instance, women groups like the African National Congress  (ANC) Women's League South Africa, Women For Women Rwanda, Tanzanian Women Parliamentary Group, National Council For Women Societies Nigeria, Newcastle Women Foundation Egypt and many other established groups can also have an exchange programme to study the women involvement and achievements recorded so far, especially in countries where women participation in politics is high.

These interventions will help to foster more inclusive development by addressing the legal reforms, institutional barriers, and social norms that prevent women and girls’ full participation in society. Together, this approach will help to close gaps in earnings and economic opportunity, reduce gender-based violence, and empower women and girls’ voices and agency.

An African woman elected into a political office will bring to a workplace experience, expertise and passion, she knows that everyone has something unique to offer irrespective of gender, age, language or religion. The health care services of its citizens will be a priority of an African woman in politics. Her efforts to improve family healthcare systems both in the rural and urban regions will build trust and confidence in good governance and sustainable democracy. Her figure and personality will also attract Foreign Investment into the development of the untapped resources and potential of any country.

A female African in a Leadership position promotes gender inclusion in education. The world is home to 796 million people who are illiterate, two-thirds of whom are women. Globally, girls are less likely to receive secondary education than their male peers. In rural areas, just 39% of girls attend secondary school compared to 45% of boys. 

Research shows today that in many African societies women pay attention to education and train their family members, children who are educationally disenfranchised or orphans through their individual supports, organisation or welfare schemes from their place of worship.

To reduce discrimination,  victimisation, violence, terrorism, famine and war in the continent of Africa where peace will prevail across the nations of Africa, African women MUST be encouraged and given the opportunity to participate in politics in Africa and be elected into office as the soul of democracy in Africa lies in the hands of women that gives birth to the next generation leaders who are the youths.

# AFRICAN WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS,

   A KEY TO GENDER INCLUSIVITY/EMPOWERMENT #

 By DR (MRS) ENO BEN  UDENSI, HEAD OF MISSION, PAN AFRICAN WOMEN PROJECTS.