According to IPS Africa, evidence from the SADC region demonstrates that political participation and effective representation of women in positions of power and decision-making at all levels is a result of focused and concerted efforts to build and inculcate the democratic governance ideals of effective participation and contribution.
Says Nomcembo Manzini, UNIFEM Southern Africa regional director: "The capacity-building programme will seek to nurture a pool of trainers spanning women in politics support organisations and political parties that have the skills and tools to train women in advocacy around gender, democracy and governance."
Participants have been selected from political parties and advocacy organisations from the Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar. A similar workshop was held for the English and Portuguese-speaking Southern African countries during September 2010 in Johannesburg (South Africa).
"Despite the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development signed in August 2008 and other regional, continental and international commitments, there is slow progress towards the attainment of set targets for ensuring a critical mass of women in decision-making at all levels, especially regarding political participation," says Kudzai Makombe, programme manager for IPS 'Women in Politics'.
Lessons from the project will be shared through the 'Women in Politics' website page, and will include stories, opinion columns and resources for women politicians.
