International IDEA 2019-2024 Enhancing Women's Political Participation in Africa

This conclusion on performance (which covers reporting period of 1 July 2023 30 June 2024) is based on follow-up from the final Steering committee meeting held in November 2024 and all the relevant reports. WPP project works with a comprehensive four-layered strategy components: Knowledge Products Generation, Training and Capacity Building, Peer-to-Peer and Mentorship Initiatives, and Advocacy and Outreach/Dialogues. It is noted that the project has ensured an improvement in the quality of implementation of program towards the attainment of the objectives. Most importantly, the WPP project has recorded noteworthy behavioral changes among participants and stakeholders, reflecting a shift towards greater support for women's political participation and engagement. A significant behavioral change is the commitment of women to run for political office, pledging to do so in upcoming elections after participating in training sessions. This reflects a growing confidence and readiness to engage in the political landscape. Male participants in the WPP program have committed to supporting gender-sensitive policies and the advancement of women's rights in politics. This shift indicates a growing recognition among men of the importance of supporting gender equality in political decision-making. The inter-generational mentorship programs have fostered a change in behavior among both mentors and mentees, with young women increasingly seeking mentorship and guidance from established leaders. This reflects a growing recognition of the importance of mentorship in preparing for leadership roles The implementation WPP project has yielded several significant results, reflecting improvements in women's political engagement and capacity. Here are the key results; - The project conducted 52 inclusive capacity building sessions to equip female politicians with leadership, communication, and campaign management (empowering a total of 4,742 participants (3,263 women and 1,479 men)). As a result, there has been 76.4% increased confidence in political engagement with 55 women committing to run for political office in the upcoming elections in the respective countries. - The WPP Academy in Botswana further equipped women with tools to strengthen their election campaigns, while male participants in Zimbabwe and Botswana pledged to support gender-sensitive policies, marking a cultural shift toward inclusivity in politics. This empowerment has resulted in cultural shift toward inclusivity in political participation. - The project produced 13 impactful publications, including the 2024 edition of the WPP Africa Barometer, which offers comprehensive insights into women's political participation across Africa. These publications serve as critical resources for advocacy and policy formulation. - Inter-generational mentorship programs reached 524 delegates (378 women and 146 men), preparing young women for leadership roles and engaging male allies in universities to advocate for gender equality in decision-making. - The project raised awareness about the importance of women's political participation, fostering discussions around redefining leadership in Africa and challenging entrenched patriarchal norms. During the steering committee meeting held in November 2024, the Committee received testimonial presentations from four distinguished WPP Academy alumnae who shared their transformative journeys in political leadership. All beneficiaries have testified that the program empowered them to face political challenges with renewed confidence, strengthening them for future political aspirations and enhanced their public speaking and political presentation skills. Overall, the final implementation year for WPP has demonstrated substantive progress addressing the significant underrepresentation and limited engagement of women in political processes and decision-making roles across Africa.  

The overarching objective of the intervention is increasing the political participation and representation of women in Africa in line with the Maputo Protocol of 2003, various associated sub-regional protocols and standards, and the SDGs with a view of advancing the goal of gender equality in politics and governance. Specifically the projects intends; 1. To contribute to an increase in the voice and presence of women in political processes and institutions in Africa. 2. To step up advocacy for and expand awareness towards increased demands for the inclusion of women at all levels of political participation and decision-making. 3. Through building the capacity of local and national womens organizations, groupings, networks, mobilisers, community activists, elected female office holders, and others to engage, negotiate, forge alliances, to create enabling platforms that allow for womens inclusion in all levels of political participation. 4. To improve the attitude of political parties, parliaments, and the media to build constituencies, alliances, norms, templates, and targets so that they have positive contributions towards greater womens political participation. 5. To enhance knowledge sharing through research to serve the goals of policy and political reform, capacity enhancement and advocacy that will be pursued.