quotas

With constitutional quotas for interest group seats in their favour and all political parties legally bound to respect women's quota of at least 30 per cent of their parliamentary nominees, women may retain or even widen their majority in the Chamber of Deputies after the upcoming September elections.

Jordanian female parliamentarians have come a long way in the ten years since the quota system was first introduced for the 2003 elections. Crucially, the quota system has succeeded in changing society’s attitudes, to the extent that women are now being directly elected to parliament without the help of a quota seat.

Political parties in the country have been asked to ensure that at least 30 per cent of all elected positions at the districts, regional and national levels are occupied by women.

The electorate have also been advised to vote for more women to occupy political positions instead of always giving preference to men.

We invite you to read the full article published July 8 2013 by Spy Ghana

MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube has defended the inclusion of the party’s secretary-general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga on the list of women’s quota under proportional representation in Matabeleland South province.

In an interview after the MDC Gwanda central district assembly in Gwanda town on Sunday, Prof Ncube said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had every right to contest in Matabeleland South as she originated from the province. He said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s name was also brought forward by the provincial assembly.

“I do not think that the constitution will improve or encourage women to participate in politics. In terms of the population we are more than men. Women are the ones who are voting men into power. We have women who are in Parliament who managed to beat their male counterparts [in elections]. We do not need the constitution to tell us to campaign for political office. We need courage, confidence and learn to support each other as women.” said a Bulawayo-based female journalist.