Elections

As Madagascar gears up for local elections tomorrow every indication is that women’s representation is likely to decline as there are no female candidates fielded in the major cities where […]

Formações sobre a integração do género nos pleitos eleitorais A Gender Links Moçambique realizou nos dias 11-16 do mês de Setembro, uma formação que reuniu jornalistas e membros de partidos […]

Political parties in South Africa lack concrete strategies to address violence against women, a problem facing a huge number of their constituents and a significant challenge to the country’s development. This was the message to political party representatives at a debate organised by Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre, Women’sNet and the Political Studies Department of Wits University earlier this month in Johannesburg. The debate challenged political parties to explain to voters ahead of the 22 April elections concrete measures they plan to combat rape and domestic violence.

During the May 2010, election in Mauritius an alert was raised on the disturbing language and imagery used by the leader of the opposing coalition, Mr Paul Berenger: “Ramgoolam envoie des femmes a l’abbatoir” translated as “Ramgoolam sending women to be put down like animals”, when referring to his opponent, the leader of the ruling party and Prime Minister’s, decision to nominate 13 female candidates in constituencies where the opposing coalition was strong.

In just a month, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development will mark its first anniversary, a year since most of the region’s leaders signed the document in August 2008, committing to 23 different targets towards gender equality À“ including 50/50 in decision-making. Yet, elections held across the region since the historic signing show mixed progress to making this target a reality

Dear President-elect Jacob Zuma

As I write this letter to you, I am looking at the invitation to your inauguration on Saturday 9 May. I must say that I have never felt so ambivalent before about being invited to an event at the Union Buildings. Maybe I am just shocked that I even made it onto the guest list. I would not rank up there with Jonathan Shapiro (or Zapiro) as one of your most prominent detractors (I see the shower head is to remain in his cartoons..) but I certainly have been a vocal critic.

South Africa’s new president Jacob Zuma did his best to follow the footsteps of his nemesis Thabo Mbeki when he announced a cabinet edging towards gender parity on 10 May. But gender advocates note with concern the lack of parity in top structures of government; the declining proportion of women deputy ministers; questionable credentials of some women ministers and the establishment of a women’s ministry.

Nairobi, 4 February 2008; Many thought her bravado was pure madness, that unknown young woman on the television screen. “Why do we have to keep on being tear-gassed because of you? We want to work!À She screamed at the leaders of the opposition party outside Nairobi’s Stanley Hotel as they prepared for a banned protest march against the disputed victory of the Mwai Kibaki’s presidency.

There is an African saying that when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. In South Africa lately, the elephants have been the two biggest winners in the April elections-the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The grass is democracy and women’s rights.

In the year ahead, Malawi, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Angola will all go to the election polls. This past August, Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders committed themselves to 50% women in decision-making when they signed the SADC Gender Protocol. Given the year ahead, it then seems reasonable to expect that governments take necessary steps to ensure that the Protocol document translates into action on the ground.

A conversation with my 12-year-old daughter triggered a series of very uneasy questions that have preoccupied my mind over the last few months. The conversation revolved around the idea that Jacob Zuma would be the next president.

Johannesburg 9 February: It’s time to stop beating about the bush where polygamy and suitability for leadership of a progressive democracy are concerned. I refer of course to the likelihood of African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma and his four (or is it two or six?) wives becoming the first family of South Africa after the April 2009 elections.