Quotas

Political parties should be required to publish details of their election candidates by gender to highlight the "shameful" gap in numbers between men and women, campaigners are arguing.

The Centenary Action Group, which wants equal representation in Parliament, said a lack of information meant it was harder to hold parties to account.

They say ministers are able to force compliance under the 2010 Equality Act.

As African countries push for respect and promotion of gender equality, political will is key to accelerate attainment of gender equality on the continent.

The remarks were made Thursday by Donatille Mukabalisa, the Speaker of Parliament, while officiating at a gender conference in Kigali held under the theme, "Changing dynamics and accelerating Progress". It brought together over 200 delegates from across the continent.

Whatever the outcome of Iraq's May 12 parliamentary elections, female candidates are guaranteed at least 25% of the seats, as per the country's constitution.

Participants at UN-backed events in the southeastern provinces of Paktya and Paktika called on community members to work together to support women’s participation in the upcoming elections.

Congress member Motamma is a veteran in Karnataka politics. A former leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Council from 2010 to 2012, she is the first woman to be appointed to that position. Representing Mudigere first in 1978, Motamma is a three-time MLA who was the women and child welfare minister in SM Krishna's cabinet. Finishing her current term as an MLC, she has been given a ticket to contest Assembly elections again from Mudigere.

Quotas to get more women into key positions in politics, business and the arts must be introduced to address a massive imbalance of power in Britain, according to equality campaigners.