AU dialogue pushes for inclusion of more women in Africa's governance

Women in Africa should be more involved in the governance of their countries if the continent is to achieve its targeted socio-economic development in the next 50 years, officials gathered at an ongoing meeting in Kigali to discuss women’s inclusion in politics have said. Held under the auspices of the African Union and the Government of Rwanda, the fourth African Union High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance opened yesterday with a focus on involving women in political processes, especially by enhancing their participation in the management of political parties in countries across the continent. While opening the meeting, Foreign Affairs minister Louise Mushikiwabo called on African governments to include women in their political processes, arguing that no governance system can be effective unless it involves women. “Anyone should feel uncomfortable to make decisions on important matters of public concern without the participation of women. Let us match the desire to raise women’s participation in politics with concrete action and advance the agenda we have set,” she said. Louise Mushikiwabo (L), Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr. Aisha L. Abdullahi, AU’s Commissioner for Political Affairs and Albert Chimbindi, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Ethiopia and Chair of the AU’s Permanent Representatives’ Committee during the meeting in Kigali. ‘Agenda 2063’ The meeting in Kigali is in line with the African Union (AU)’s plan and road map for development in Africa – dubbed “Agenda 2063.” The agenda envisages that the full and active participation of women in the public and private sector will further accelerate the attainment of various national development agendas as well as the regional and continental milestones for development. It urges African Heads of State and Government to ensure that women occupy 50 per cent of elected public offices and half of the managerial positions in both the public and private sector by 2063. Louise Mushikiwabo, Foreign Affairs Minister gives her remarks during the meeting in Kigali. The AU’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Dr Aisha L. Abdullahi, said at yesterday’s meeting that African governments and members of the civil society and the private sector must create an environment that “enables women to participate.” “The call to involve women in the political life of their countries is in recognition of a need to create and sustain an environment of inclusive and responsive political processes, which is at the core of empowerment of women as political leaders,” she said, adding that “in a representative democracy, the active participation of the continent’s largest, but marginalised demography in governance processes, must be addressed as an important human rights issue.” More than 160 participants from around 40 countries in Africa are attending the meeting whose objectives include sharing and consolidating comparable lessons and experiences on ensuring women’s equal participation and leadership in political parties in Africa at all levels. The inclusion According to Albert Chimbindi, the Ambassador of Zimbabwe to Ethiopia and Chair of the AU’s Permanent Representatives’ Committee, the inclusion of women in political processes should be unconditional. “It’s not a favour done to women; it’s their right and it’s the right thing to do,” he told delegates at the meeting. Participants at the ongoing meeting in Kigali on women’s inclusion in politics. Mushikiwabo concurred, saying “a society which denies the right of women cannot guarantee rights for anyone else either”. “Human rights, including gender equality, are a set of values that serve as a foundation of effective governance. No system can be said to be effective if it leaves a significant part of its population out of the political process,” she added. Many participants at the meeting lauded Rwanda for being a shining example for women’s empowerment and inclusion in leadership, a practice which organisers of the conference hope will inspire delegates at the end of their meeting in Kigali. Prof. Anastase Shyaka, the chief executive of Rwanda Governance Board,(L) shares a light moment with Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Youth and ICT minister. (All photos by T.Kisambira) With women occupying 64 per cent of seats in the country’s Chamber of Deputies, the Lower House, Rwanda remains a global leader in women’s representation in parliament. Outcomes from the dialogue as it ends today are expected to include a summary of key policy recommendations for consideration by the AU’s Heads of State and Government Summit slated for January 2016, a background paper on the state of women’s participation and leadership in political parties in Africa, as well as a strategy and work plan on enhancing women’s equal participation and leadership in political parties to be implemented by the AU. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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AU dialogue pushes for inclusion of more women in Africa's governance