Women’s participation in politics and leadership remains low in African countries due to various factors, including online harassment and a patriarchal system that hinders their involvement.
This was highlighted during a workshop attended by journalists from Sub-Saharan African countries, held in Nairobi, Kenya and spearheaded by International IDEA https://www.idea.int/ and WYDE.
Speaking at the workshop, Josephine Mwangi, the Program Manager for the Women’s Political Participation Project in Africa and West Asia from IDEA, stated that the limited participation of women in politics is driven by multiple factors, including the way media portrays women.
The African Barometer report, published in November 2024, revealed that women’s representation in African parliaments stood at only 27% in 2024. Additionally, the report showed that the increase in women’s political participation in Africa has stagnated, with only a 1% rise recorded between 2021 and 2024.
The workshop also highlighted that one of the key barriers to women’s representation in politics is the threats and harassment they face, both when participating in politics and when using social media platforms.
Previously, IDEA’s Senior Advisor on Democracy and Inclusion, Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu, emphasized that journalists must use their platforms effectively to ensure greater participation of women in politics and leadership.
Nhundu stated that although constitutional reforms have been made, their implementation remains a challenge. She stressed that it is the responsibility of journalists to report and highlight issues related to women and leadership.
Additionally, findings from the African Barometer report indicate that men have continued to dominate top political positions in Africa over the past decade. The report reveals that only 22 women currently hold senior leadership positions across 17 African countries, representing just 32% since 1970.
