Democracy and Women Political Participation in Africa

Conference poster: Africa map graphic with a woman in a patterned dress, Maputo 2019.

Brief Report Conference on Democracy and Women’s Political Participation in Africa 2019

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Democracy and Women Political Participation in Africa

January 8, 2026

This report summarises the main conclusions of the Conference on Democracy and Women’s Political Participation in Africa (2019), organised by civil society organisations in partnership with the UNDP Democracy and Electoral project. Despite women representing the majority of the population, their participation in political life remains limited, with persistent social norms and structural barriers restricting their access to elective and appointive positions. The discussions also highlighted the low representation of women in electoral management bodies and the decisive role of political parties in promoting gender equality in candidate selection. In addition, the conference underscored the need for stronger engagement by public authorities and civil society to promote inclusive electoral processes, particularly for women with disabilities, who continue to face significant accessibility barriers.