Electoral systems and gender in Southern Africa

The article focuses on electoral systems in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and assesses which systems are more conducive to increasing the number of women in parliaments. Analysis of the two systems, First Past the Post (FPTP), used in countries such as Zimbabwe, and Proportional Representation (PR), used in Angola, among others, shows that PR creates a more conduce environment for more women in Parliaments. Angola saw an increase in women after Parliamentary elections in 2008, whereas Zimbabwe saw a decrease, despite advocacy by different groups, including political parties. Other examples show variances in different countries such as Tanzania, where the country uses FPTP, but has constitutional quotas for women. The article also looks at the role of media in elections and promoting empowerment of women in politics.

ISBN: 978-1-920550-26-4
Publisher: Gender Links
Edition: 6th Edition
Year of Publication: 2009