1. Women’s participation in policy making
By MARY ONGORE

2. Women are underrepresented both as voters and in leading positions.
Women represent 24.3% of all national parliaments globally. (Inter-Parliamentary Union).
As of January 2019, only 11 women serving as heads of state world wide. There is only 1 female head of state in Africa. (UN Women)
These figures are indicative of a poor trend globally as women represent approximately 50% of the population world wide.(World Bank 2017)
Only 3 countries have more than 50% in parliament (Inter-Parliamentary Union).

3. Difference between Men’s and women’s experiences
Women more vulnerable to physical and sexual violence
Women’s political representation lags behind that of men
Women have different economic opportunities
Women play different roles in the family and form a huge part of the unpaid care economy
Women form the majority of the world’s poor
Women are more prone to fall victim to people trafficking and to the sex trade

4. Critical Mass Argument
Rationale for the increased participation of women in decision making bodies
Justice Argument
Experience Argument
Interest Argument
Critical Mass Argument
Symbolic Argument
Democracy Argument

5. Factors to be considered when investigating women’s representation in politics
A distinction needs to be made between descriptive or numerical representation and substantive representation.
Descriptive representation is concerned with women representing themselves on issues that concern them.
Substantive representation looks at the advancement of women’s interests regardless of the gender of the representative.

6. Benefits of increased women’s representation
Women representative’s are deemed to be less corrupt and bring a level of credibility to governance.
Women’s presence in politics has proven to be important in the formulation of development policies.
Women’s involvement in the development in peace building policies in post- conflict environments has significant benefits.

7. Women’s representation case studies from Africa
WORLD CLASSIFICATION*(IPU 2019)
Rank in the World
Country
Lower or single House
Upper House or Senate
Elections
Seats*
Women
% W 1
Rwanda 80 49
61.3% 26 10
38.5% 7
Namibia
104 48
46.2% 42
23.8%
South Africa
393
168
42.7% 54 19
35.2% 11
Senegal
165 69
41.8%
--- 17
Mozambique
250 99
39.6% 91
Kenya
349 76
21.8% 68 21
30.9%

8. The Kenyan story – Women in politics

9. Lessons to be learned from Africa
Rwanda – Constitution amended to mandate seat reservation. Electoral law also amended to create a quota system.
Namibia – Proportional representation electoral system. Informal quotas also adopted by political parties at the national level. Alternation between men and women (zebra-system) on electoral lists also implemented.
South Africa – Proportional representation electoral system alongside adoption of gender quotas by the ruling party and a few other parties.
Senegal – Amendment to electoral law enacted in June Legislated candidate quotas introduced with parties that do not comply with electoral law being denied admission. Additionally, alteration between males and females on electoral lists mandated.
Mozambique – Proportional representation together with the adoption of informal quotas by political parties.

10. Legal candidate quotas Political party quotas
Types of Quotas
Reserved seats
Legal candidate quotas
Political party quotas

11. Advantages of quota systems:
It is much easier to achieve than changing the political culture
Elected women serve as role models for other women
Political parties are engaged in the election of women
Disadvantages of quota systems:
Quotas viewed as discriminatory against men
There is the attitude that women elected are under qualified
Enacting legislation that makes quotas mandatory is difficult to pass

12. E-mail: mary.ongore@gmail.com
The End!!