gender democracy

African gender equality champions have made notable strides - through the state, in political parties, in the media and the economic sphere toward a seemingly elusive gender equality goal. Efforts are frustrated by interpretations of societal norms and values rooted deeply in patriarchal structures and mindsets. Has enough been done to re-socialise or re-educate?

The Virtual Conference on Challenging Patriarchy in Africa  provided a platform for an African conversation on advancing feminist thought and action on the continent, exploring ‘New Spaces and Strategies for Advancing Gender Equality in Africa’.

Political quotas have led to increasing numbers of women in governance in East and Horn of Africa countries. However, women haven't translated their presence in the ranks of power into real influence over political agendas.

Affirmative Action is known to be the fastest way to bridge the gap between women and men in public and political leadership representation. However, it must be made to be both sustainable and productive in the long run.

From the foregoing assessment of women’s experiences with political leadership representation, the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Regional Office in Nairobi held an insightful and highly charged forum on women and political leadership in Kenya bringing participants across sectors, age and status.