Our Mission and Objectives
This Platform aims to provide an in-depth and nuanced analysis of women's political participation in the region, supporting the pillars of democracy and sustainable development.
1. Assess Women's Representation
Our goal is to provide a precise overview of women's presence in the executive, legislative, judicial, and local spheres across West Africa. We examine figures, trends, and variations between different countries.
2. Analyze Obstacles
Beyond the numbers, we identify and analyze the structural, cultural, and socio-economic barriers that hinder women's political participation, including gender stereotypes, economic hurdles, and political violence.
3. Identify Strategies and Solutions
This Platform highlights proven strategies and effective solutions for promoting women's political participation, evaluating the impact of quotas, training programs, and civil society partnerships.
4. Formulate Recommendations
Based on our analysis, we formulate concrete and actionable recommendations for governments, political parties, and key stakeholders to advance gender equality in leadership.
5. Contribute to Dialogue and Awareness
We aim to spark an informed and constructive debate on women's political participation in West Africa, mobilizing stakeholders to promote positive change.
Country Situation
This section highlights the status of women in national executives, legislatures, and local governments across West Africa.
Benin
In Benin, political bodies consist of a government with 21 ministers, including 5 women, reflecting a low commitment to female representation. The National Assembly, for its part, has 109 deputies, with 29 women, which shows some progress in gender equality. As for municipal councilors, Benin has a low percentage of locally elected women. Administrative and political reforms in future elections could impact these figures, highlighting the importance of continuing to work for equitable representation.
5/21
Female Ministers
29/109
National Assembly
Togo
Togo is marked by a political structure where the government includes 34 ministers, including 9 women, highlighting a low commitment to include more women in leadership roles. The National Assembly has 113 deputies, with 17 women, and at the local level, the country has a low rate of locally elected women. Togo has 61 Senators with 15 female Senators. This female representation, although significant, highlights the need to ensure that women have the necessary opportunities to participate fully in political life.
9/34
Female Ministers
17/113
National Assembly
15/61
Female Senators
Ghana
In Ghana, the political landscape is characterized by a government of 42 ministers, including 7 women, which indicates a low commitment to integrating women into the high spheres of power. The Ghanaian Parliament, composed of 275 deputies, includes 40 women, marking a notable stagnation in female representation. Regarding municipal councilors, the country has a low rate of locally elected women. These figures are not very encouraging and highlight the need for a strong commitment to improve women's participation in politics.
7/42
Female Ministers
40/275
Parliament
Nigeria
In Nigeria, the government consists of 45 ministers, including 7 women, reflecting a low commitment to including women in important decision-making positions. The House of Representatives consists of 360 deputies, with only 14 women, highlighting a persistent imbalance in female representation. The Senate is composed of 109 Senators with 3 female Senators. At the local level, the country has a low rate of locally elected women.
7/45
Female Ministers
14/360
House of Reps
3/109
Female Senators
Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire presents a political landscape with a government of 33 ministers, including 7 women, which shows a low commitment to include women in political decisions. The National Assembly has 254 deputies, with 34 women. For senators, we have 24 female senators out of 99. As for councilors, the country has a low total rate of councilors. These figures demonstrate a political decision that must change for the inclusion of women.
7/33
Female Ministers
34/254
National Assembly
24/99
Female Senators
Senegal
In Senegal, the government consists of 25 ministers, including 4 women, which demonstrates a low commitment to including women in the high spheres of politics. The National Assembly has 165 deputies, with 68 women, illustrating remarkable progress in female representation. Regarding municipal councilors, the country has made progress in the election of locally elected women, which shows a significant commitment to gender equality.
4/25
Female Ministers
68/165
National Assembly
Gambia
In Gambia, the government consists of 22 ministers, including 3 women, which shows a very low commitment to involve women in decision-making. The National Assembly is composed of 58 deputies, including 5 women, a figure which highlights the persistent challenges in female representation. As for municipal councilors, the country has fewer locally elected women.
3/22
Female Ministers
5/58
National Assembly
Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, the government has 28 ministers, including 9 women, illustrating a low commitment to include women in high-level decision-making. The National Assembly has 149 deputies, with 44 women, marking very encouraging progress in female representation. Regarding municipal councilors, the country has few locally elected women.
9/28
Female Ministers
44/149
National Assembly
Liberia
In Liberia, the government is composed of 12 ministers, including 6 women. This figure demonstrates a low commitment to female representation in decision-making bodies. The Senate is composed of 3 women and 27 men. The House of Representatives is composed of 73 deputies with 8 women. This figure indicates an urgent need to improve the presence of women within the legislature.
6/12
Female Ministers
8/73
House of Reps
3/30
Female Senators
Guinea
In Guinea, the government is composed of 29 ministers, including 6 women. This figure indicates a low commitment to achieving full gender equity. The National Assembly of Guinea has 81 deputies, of whom 24 are women. This figure shows significant progress but also highlights the need to further strengthen the presence of women within the legislature.
6/29
Female Ministers
24/81
National Assembly
Guinea-Bissau
The term of President Umaro Sissoco Embalo ended on February 27, 2025. We cannot display statistics on the national assembly, local elected officials, and members of the government.
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Female Ministers
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National Assembly
Cape Verde
In Cape Verde, the government is composed of 2 women out of 16 Ministers. This figure shows a low commitment to female representation in the high political bodies and demonstrates the efforts the country must make to promote gender equality within the government. The National Assembly of Cape Verde has 72 deputies, of whom 32 are women.
2/16
Female Ministers
32/72
National Assembly
Burkina Faso
In Burkina Faso, the government consists of 24 ministers, including 4 women, which indicates a low commitment to the inclusion of women in political positions. The Transitional National Assembly is made up of 71 deputies, with 12 women, showing a need for improvement in terms of female representation.
The current transition has suspended local governance, so there are no mayors or local councilors. Future elections and administrative and political reforms could impact these figures and the return to local governance.
4/24
Female Ministers
12/71
National Assembly
Mali
In Mali, the political landscape is made up of a government with 28 ministers, including 5 women. This figure shows a low commitment to female representation, and remains below the desired gender equality in decision-making bodies. The National Assembly of Mali has 121 deputies, of whom 32 are women.
With the ongoing transition, local governance is suspended. There are no mayors or local councilors. Ongoing administrative reforms and future elections could have a significant impact on these figures.
5/28
Female Ministers
32/121
National Assembly
Niger
In Niger, the government is made up of 26 ministers, including 5 women. This figure reflects a low commitment to female representation and highlights the need to increase the presence of women at decision-making levels. The national assembly was dissolved in July 2023 and the establishment of a transitional parliament has been announced. As the country goes through a transition, local governance is suspended.
5/26
Female Ministers
38/194
National Assembly
Women in National Executives
The participation of women in national executives is a key indicator of their political influence and their ability to shape public policy.
Despite recent advances, women remain largely underrepresented in West African governments. The figures reveal slow progress and raise fundamental questions about the legitimacy of democratic institutions. Several factors, including quotas, parity laws, and the commitment of political leaders, influence women's representation.
Cultural and social norms also play a significant role in limiting women's access to power. In some societies, women are perceived as less competent or legitimate than men for government positions. It's crucial for female ministers to access strategic portfolios like finance, defense, and justice to exercise real influence on political decisions.
Female ministers can bring unique perspectives and priorities, focusing on gender issues, equality, and social well-being. Their presence helps develop more inclusive and equitable policies. However, women's participation faces many challenges, including lack of political support, stereotypes, and political violence.
To strengthen women's participation, it is recommended to enforce quotas, actively support female politicians, and fight against gender stereotypes. Investing in women's political empowerment is essential for building more just, prosperous, and sustainable societies.
Women in Legislatures
The participation of women in national legislatures is a crucial element of democracy and political representation.
Female representation in national parliaments in West Africa varies considerably. While progress has been made, women remain largely underrepresented. Quotas and parity laws are important tools, but their effectiveness depends on rigorous enforcement and the commitment of political parties.
Cultural and social norms still limit women's access to parliamentary positions. The impact of female parliamentarians on public policies is a subject of debate, though studies show they tend to champion policies more favorable to women and families. It is essential to strengthen their ability to form alliances and influence decisions within parliaments.
To strengthen women's participation in national legislatures, it is recommended to implement and enforce quotas and parity laws, actively support female candidates, fight against gender stereotypes, and promote a safe and supportive political environment for women.
Women in the Judiciary
The presence and influence of women within the judicial system represent a fundamental pillar for building just and equitable societies.
The representation of women in legal professions in West Africa is heterogeneous. While some countries have made progress, others lag behind, especially at the highest judicial levels. Female judges and lawyers are crucial for promoting equality and bring increased sensitivity to issues like gender-based violence and discrimination.
However, women in the judiciary face numerous challenges, including discrimination, harassment, and difficulty balancing work with family responsibilities. Women's access to justice is also a critical issue, hindered by a lack of information, high legal costs, and cultural norms.
To improve women's access to justice, it is imperative to launch awareness campaigns, provide affordable legal aid, and train legal professionals on gender issues. By supporting women's participation in the legal field, we can build societies where everyone's rights are protected.
Women in Local Governments
The participation of women in local governments, as mayors and councilors, is an essential lever for local development and participatory democracy in West Africa.
Women's participation in local elections in West Africa varies widely. This disparity reflects persistent gender inequalities and specific obstacles women face in local politics. The support of political parties and women's movements is crucial for advocating for better representation.
The impact of elected women on local development is significant. They bring unique perspectives and priorities, contributing to more inclusive and equitable local policies. However, they face challenges like discrimination, harassment, and difficulty balancing professional and family responsibilities.
To strengthen their participation, it is essential to implement measures such as awareness campaigns, training for female candidates, and financial support for elected women.
Obstacles and Challenges
A deeper look into the systemic and social barriers women face in politics in West Africa.
Cultural Norms and Gender Stereotypes
Cultural norms and stereotypes are significant barriers to women's political participation. These deeply rooted traditions confine women to the private sphere, limiting their mobility, education, and public life participation. Pervasive gender stereotypes negatively impact the perception of women's leadership, and female politicians are often judged on personal factors rather than skills.
Economic and Educational Barriers
Limited access to financial resources and economic opportunities is a major obstacle. Political campaigns require significant investment, which women often struggle to secure due to unequal access to property and credit. Inequality in education is also critical, preventing women from developing key skills for political engagement.
Political Violence and Intimidation
Political violence and intimidation severely hinder women's political participation. These phenomena, including physical, psychological, and sexual violence, aim to discourage women from engaging in politics. The growing threat of cyberviolence also limits women's influence and safety online.
The Role of Political Parties
Political parties are central to promoting female candidates, yet women often face discrimination and marginalization within them. Proactive parties must adopt internal policies that are favorable to women, including concrete measures to ensure equal representation and a safe, respectful environment.
Strategies and Solutions
A collaborative and multi-dimensional approach is required to promote women's political participation.
Quotas and Parity Laws
Adopting and implementing quotas and parity laws are crucial to accelerate women's participation. Mandatory quotas with penalties are more effective, but their success depends on rigorous enforcement. Real parity is the goal, supported by financial backing from political parties. Awareness campaigns are also key to changing mindsets and gaining public acceptance.
Capacity Building and Training
Capacity building and training are essential to empowering women in politics. Programs should focus on skills like political communication, campaign management, negotiation, and leadership. Continuous training and the development of strong mentorship and support networks are crucial for helping women navigate their political careers.
Public Awareness and Education
Raising public awareness and providing education are key to transforming mindsets. Campaigns should inform the public about the importance of gender equality, deconstruct stereotypes, and highlight women's contributions. Civic education for youth is also vital to build a political culture that supports women's participation from an early age.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Promoting women's political participation requires a collaborative approach involving civil society organizations, governments, and international bodies. NGOs and CSOs are crucial for advocacy and support. Regional and international cooperation provides a framework and technical support, ensuring that women's voices are heard and their rights are championed globally.
Legislation Library and Policy Tracker
A comprehensive database of gender-related laws and policies in West Africa.