The Women’s Situation Room

than doubled in the National Assembly, having risen from 18% in 2011 to 42% in 2012.991 Since 2012, the proportion of women in the National Assembly has remained above 40%.992 Senegal stands out as a successful example not only on the continent but globally. As of 1 October 2020, Senegal ranks fourth in Africa for the highest number of women in national parliaments, and 15th globally.993

Important lessons from COSEF and its Campaign for Parity include the effectiveness of partnerships and alliances, the establishment of the Parity Monitoring Committee, the strategic targeting of certain groups and dialogue with opposition parties and religious and customary leaders. Creating a synergy between women and civil movements and partnering with legal and political experts were vital. Activities led to the adoption of the 2010 Law on Parity and the 2011 decree and training of women candidates for elections.994 The Parity Monitoring Committee remains a crucial part of COSEF’s activities today. It now has over 50 member organisations, which continue to oversee the 2010 Law on Parity’s implementation and to monitor female representation quality – not merely the number of positions occupied by women.

Another essential lesson of the campaign was ensuring that women themselves, in particular young women, were aware of the Law and the legislative process. Holding workshops and direct tutoring of young women and girls remain part of COSEF’s work today. This approach highlights the importance of empowering women and girls so they can claim their right to political participation.

Violence against women (VAW) is a barrier to women’s full and effective political participation,995 including as voters, candidates, election officials, activists and political party leaders.996 A 2016 global study by IPU found that violence against female elected officials occurred on at least some level in every country. In addition, 65.5% of the study’s respondents reported having suffered humiliating sexual or sexist remarks, and 44.4% reported receiving threats of death, rape, beating or abduction.997 Violence and the threat of violence can hinder women’s ability to safely and securely fulfil their political responsibilities, and dissuade women from engaging in politics.998 Additionally, in many African countries, the violence triggered by an election cycle not only undermines women’s security but also affects their long-term development, peace and stability.999 Several African nations have experienced election-related violence, with women and girls disproportionately affected.1000 One example is Burundi’s political crisis: there has been an increase in the incidence of sexual violence, with women and girls making up the majority of the victims.1001 These actions have been declared a tactic of intimidation, carried out to change votes and punish women’s real or perceived political affiliation.1002 Technology also serves as a tool of violence and intimidation against women to undermine their political participation.1003 Today, though, there is international recognition that women’s meaningful inclusion in political processes is central to stability and security.1004 The Maputo Protocol reinforces this importance.1005

To combat election-related violence and enhance women’s political participation rights on the continent, the Women’s Situation Room (WSR), an African women-led grassroots initiative achieved success throughout the AWD. A WSR mobilises and supports women and youth to ensure their active participation in peaceful and democratic electoral processes in Africa.1006 Dr Yvette Chesson-Wureh, Coordinator of the Liberian based Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, introduced the concept of the WSR in 2011.1007

The 2011 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia was the first time the WSR had been employed.1008 Generally, the WSR consists of a secretariat, election observers, a call centre and a team of established crosscountry women leaders and experts, including partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as the police and electoral monitoring bodies.1009 The WSR is a process rather than a one-off event. Training, advocacy and

mediation start before the elections and continue after their conclusion. Activities include training women and youth to be election observers with skills and knowledge on electoral processes and constitutional law. Close to Election Day, organisers set up a physical space where, “women are involved in the real-time intervention and mediation, political and legal analysis, observation of the polling process and recording and documentation.”1010 Incidence of VAW, voting complaints, electoral offences and obstruction of observers are reported back to the WSR by women on the ground and through dedicated hotlines, with experts verifying them in real-time.1011 This information is given to women leaders and experts so they can work with politicians and notify the appropriate authorities.1012

Since the concept was created in 2011, several African countries have established their version of a WSR.1013 The WSR model is adaptable, with technical support from the Angie Brooks International Centre. Several West and East African countries have successfully replicated the WSR model. These include Senegal (2012), Sierra Leone (2012, 2018), Kenya (2013), Nigeria (2015), Uganda (2016) and Ghana (2016), and again in Liberia (2014, 2017).1014 Country adaption has included the creation of safe spaces in Senegal, which allowed for the inclusion of women and youth in consultation processes.1015 In Uganda, the WSR deployed more than 500 trained women to “hotspots” across 15 districts.1016 In Nigeria, the WSR incorporated police and the Independent Electoral Commission.1017 In Kenya, women leaders took on essential roles as mediators to ensure accountability from political leaders that election disputes would not end in calls for violence.1018

The WSR is a positive innovation that has been instrumental in removing barriers and improving women’s participation in Africa. It provides an excellent opportunity for women to learn and engage with one another across borders. The WSR model gives women and youth a voice in political processes by actively allowing them to participate in their home country’s election process. The notable success of the WSR with regard to preventing and mitigating election-based violence in Liberia led to the AU declaring the WSR as a form of best practice to be replicated across all African countries holding elections.1019

Despite the success of the WSR, many are unaware of its existence and its role in elections. And yet lessons learnt from country-specific experiences may increase its impact. One example relates to the importance of effective planning. In some cases, the WSR has reportedly been established only a few days before the election, making it difficult to ensure the proper training of election observers and support to analysts, community sensitisation to the work of the WSR and the establishment of relationships with stakeholder.1020 Moreover, additional training in collaboration with the police in conflict analysis, incident reporting and the importance of gender-disaggregated data would ensure accurate recording, strengthening the post-election response.1021 Meanwhile, as with many grassroots initiatives, lack of funding represents a threat to the sustainability of the WSR.1022