Make Every Woman Count
2. GOVERNANCE, LEGAL PROTECTION AND WOMEN IN DECISION-MAKING During the AWD, women’s representation and participation in governance and decisionmaking advanced in positive ways across Africa.
2.1. Issue Analysis During the AWD, women’s representation and participation in governance and decision-making advanced in positive ways across Africa. In some African countries, women’s political participation has risen, whereas in others progress has declined or remained stagnant. In several countries, women’s representation in national parliaments meets or exceeds the 30% mark, often because many of these countries have adopted a form of quota.732 However, in other countries, the implementation of a form of quota has not increased women’s representation in governance and decision-making. Over the Decade, some countries also saw an increase in the proportion of women in ministerial positions, with female ministers increasingly holding portfolios traditionally given to men, such as defence, finance and foreign affairs. Although more African women participate in governance and hold decision-making positions, progress has often been slow, and implementation of the women’s civil and political rights agenda is unfinished. Institutional, cultural, social and economic barriers and challenges continue to hold African women back from equal and full participation in governance and decision-making. Structural barriers, such as laws, institutions and practices, prevent or limit women from participating at national and local levels. Compared with men, female candidates have less access to financial resources to cover costs associated with seeking elected office. When campaigning, women often experience violence, intimidation and harassment. A 2016 Afro Barometer study revealed that 50% of women candidates surveyed in 34 countries were afraid of political intimidation or violence.733 Persistent cultural and social practices and perceptions of women negatively impact women seeking political and leadership positions. Across Africa, positive attitudes towards women in leadership positions vary, with the highest in Southern Africa, followed by East and West Africa; they are lowest in North Africa.734
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