A society that fails to harness the energy and creativity of its women is at a huge disadvantage and this is especially true in the modern world. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance has a report depicting a rather bleak picture for Africa. Here is an excerpt:

African countries are still far from achieving women’s equal and effective participation in political decision-making. Women constitute only 24 per cent of the 12,113 parliamentarians in Africa, 25 per cent in the lower houses and 20 per cent in the upper houses of parliaments, according to the first Women’s Political Participation: Africa Barometer 2021 published today.

While local government is often hailed as a training ground for women in politics, women constitute a mere 21 per cent of councillors in the 19 countries for which complete data could be obtained.

These are some of the main findings from the Africa Barometer 2021 published by Gender Links with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). The Barometer is a key resource of the International IDEA-led consortium: Enhancing the Inclusion of Women in Political Participation in Africa (WPP).

Read the full article here.