Nine female Chairpersons of elections management bodies (EMBs) from across Africa, have gathered in Accra for a two-day inaugural meeting, to share best practices to promote peace building during elections.
The meeting would help them to reflect, share experiences, and strategise on increasing women’s participation in decision-making roles.
The participants are: Mrs Jean Mensa, Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Namibia, Dr Elsie Nghikembua, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission of Liberia, Mrs Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission of Cape Verde, Mrs Maria do Rosario L. Pereira Gonçalves, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Mrs Frances Zalumis.
The rest are Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission, Mrs Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Justice Priscilla Chigumba, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Rwanda, Ms Oda Gasinzigwa and Chairperson of the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia, Ms Melatwork Hailu.
Mrs Mensa highlighted the significance of the gathering in charting the course for greater female participation in decision-making roles in democracy.
She said despite significant progress, women were facing challenges, including intimidation and gender bias, which hindered their full participation in decision-making roles.
“With only nine out of 45 African nations having female heads of EMBs, there is much work to be done, this gathering is a crucial step toward building a support network to empower women leaders, enhance visibility, and strategise for greater representation,” Ms Mensa said.
She was optimistic that the meeting would provide a platform for collaboration, mentorship, and advocacy, helping members to navigate common challenges, share best practices, and champion gender equality.
“This meeting would also provide opportunities for professional development, equipping members with the skills needed for impactful election management and by working together, we leaders can address systemic barriers, promote inclusive policies, and advance good governance principles,” she said.
Mrs Mensa emphasised the importance of transparency, inclusivity, and celebrating the achievements of women in election management.
Mrs Mensa urged her colleagues to foster a culture of peer learning and celebrate achievements to change negative perceptions about women in leadership roles.
She also called for the network to advocate for gender-sensitive policies and practices, such as reducing filing fees for women and persons with disabilities and accommodating special needs during elections.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Assistant Division at the UN, Mr Akinyemi Adegbola, said women leaders are crucial in ensuring fair representation and breaking down historical barriers that have limited women’s political participation.
He commended the women for their crucial work in several areas, adding that “women leaders help to ensure fair representation by breaking down historical barriers to women’s political participation, fostering an inclusive electoral process that ensures all voices, especially those of women, are heard.”
Mr Adegbola said women promote integrity and transparency, essential for building public trust in electoral systems, adding that their commitment to ethical standards serves as a model for democratic governance.
“Women in these roles are well-placed to advocate for electoral reforms, pushing for changes that make systems more equitable and just,” he said.
He suggested strengthening the capacities of electoral bodies, particularly in technology, data management, and security for handling complex processes effectively.
“Investing in the next generation of women leaders through mentorship and capacity-building programs is also crucial and women in leadership positions should leverage their roles to advocate for gender-equal policies and collaborate with governments and organisations to drive meaningful changes.
BY AGNES OPOKU SARPONG