What domestic/national factors best explain the rise of women in parliament in sub-Saharan Africa?

A number of factors are responsible for the rise of women in Parliament in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the last decade, several countries have been through one form of conflict or the other in the specific case of Rwanda genocide. Lessons that were learned after the conflicts brought about certain drastic changes in the country's quest for democracy.

It must be remembered that after the conflicts some women became heads of households and family, taking up responsibility which were previously undertaken by men. There was also massive exodus of women and children from their localities, exposing them to cultures different from theirs, some positive, and of course some negative. Amongst the positive influence, it would be noteworthy to mention the civic and political rights of women.

To consolidate peace in war-torn African countries, a variety of UN agencies together with other humanitarian organizations established their presence in these countries, and identified the protection of human rights, which also meant women's rights, as one of the key factors necessary in peace-building. Both local and international organizations provided women information about their rights and freedoms. The 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone which I am currently heading, was among such organizations. The 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone was founded during post-conflict reconstruction and since then has been advocating for the inclusion of women in governance at all levels. Its goal is to empower women to occupy decision-making positions through training and advocacy.

Additionally, during the reconciliation period, these countries signed international conventions that demanded elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. Amongst such conventions were Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Women's rights.

Harriett Turay

President of the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone