Proceedings of The 6th Global Conference on Women’s Studies
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Women’s Presidency in Africa: Enablers of the Uprising Voices
Gloria Nyambura Kenyatta
ABSTRACT:
A significant increase in female leaders at the national level occurred between the 1990s and 2000s, and Africa has not been left behind in embracing women leaders in national politics. Although globally, women’s presidencies have been uncommon, around ten African women have served as presidents either temporarily during times of need or through election systems. Their leadership has set the groundwork for subsequent female leadership in the continent, even though men dominate African politics and are primarily represented by governments that are male-centric. Based on desk-view research, this paper acknowledges that women’s presidency and involvement in African national politics is relatively new, and despite the persistent structural and functional barriers that have been documented, which facilitate or obstruct their involvement in politics, women’s achievements so far cannot be ignored. Therefore, this paper maps the enablers of this positive shift from the past norm, where there are now women leaders in national positions, including the presidency. These enablers of women’s rising voices in participation and representation in African national politics include the electoral systems, temporal special measures (TSM), e.g., affirmative actions, political parties (especially nominations based on gender balance), and education. Further, the paper concludes by urging African states that have not yet established frameworks that facilitate these enablers for women’s participation in national politics to do so, including those that have not yet enforced these frameworks. Also, the paper recognizes that promoting women’s participation in national politics requires a nation’s political will.
keywords: Electoral systems, female leadership, gender parity, political parties, national politics, quotas