Regional: SADC is still far from achieving 50/50 although there are pockets of success

The 2012 SADC Gender Protocol Barometer shows that, at 24% SADC comes second to Nordic countries (42%) in a global comparison of women in political decision-making positions.

Overall representation of women in parliament has decreased from an average of 25% in 2011 to 24% in 2012. This is due to losses in the three SADC countries, which held elections in the last year Lesotho (local and national), Seychelles (national) and Zambia (national and local).

Only Seychelles increased women’s representation from 29% to near parity (45%). With 49% women in local government, Lesotho has the highest proportion of women in any area of political decision-making in SADC. This is down from 58% because of an amendment to the quota system following an outcry over reserved seats in the 2006 elections, and study visit to Tanzania that resulted in the adoption of a mixed system.

National projections show that by 2015 women will make up 31.5% of parliamentary seats. No SADC country will reach parity, although at least four will have over 40% women in parliament. Projections for local government show that by 2015 there will be 35% women in local government.

Quota systems are gaining ground: Mauritius joined Lesotho and Tanzania and implemented a legislated quota at the local level. The Mauritius quota varies in style as it caters for both sexes. At least 30% of candidates on party lists should be either women or men.South Africa drafted a Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill that sets targets for achieving 50/50 by 2015 for all sectors, including public entities and the private sector. This will go a long way in increasing women’s representation.

The key to change is political will. The fact that women are still underrepresented in cabinet (with some exceptions, like South Africa) calls into question the political commitment of leaders. Civil society re-launched the 50/50 campaign in 2011 in order to guard gains made since SADC heads of state adopted the 50/50 target in 2005. Click here to read the governance chapter