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African women more active in politics in some countries than others

Editorial / Opinion Piece / Blog Post

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July 6, 2018

African women more active in politics in some countries than others

Source: Herald Zimbabwe

By Erin Accampo Hern 

Women are less likely than men to participate in politics in Africa. This gender gap affects everything from attending community meetings to contacting elected officials, joining others to raise public issues, expressing a partisan preference and even voting.

On average, women also participate less than men even when they have the same level of education, are in work, are the same age, and express the same level of interest in political affairs.

This gap has important political consequences.

The most important aspect is that elected officials are less likely to consider women’s concerns when they’re making policies.

This matters because women and men tend to have different policy preferences. The gender gap in African politics is well-documented. But it is often treated as a predictable outcome of poverty and patriarchy.

Click here to read the full article published by Herald Zimbabwe on 14 June 2018.

Focus areas

By Erin Accampo Hern 

Women are less likely than men to participate in politics in Africa. This gender gap affects everything from attending community meetings to contacting elected officials, joining others to raise public issues, expressing a partisan preference and even voting.

On average, women also participate less than men even when they have the same level of education, are in work, are the same age, and express the same level of interest in political affairs.

This gap has important political consequences.

The most important aspect is that elected officials are less likely to consider women’s concerns when they’re making policies.

This matters because women and men tend to have different policy preferences. The gender gap in African politics is well-documented. But it is often treated as a predictable outcome of poverty and patriarchy.

Click here to read the full article published by Herald Zimbabwe on 14 June 2018.

Focus areas