Over the last 50 years, many African countries have established national gender machineries and implemented quota systems to accelerate the entrance of women representatives into formal political institutions. The results of this are striking: while in 1960 only 1% of Africa’s political representatives were women, in 2009, this figure is closer to 20%.

However, achieving “critical mass”, and establishing gender machineries have not consistently translated into governance that is more gender sensitive – that actively works to correct social, economic and cultural power imbalances. Women largely carry the burden of poverty and care work, while retaining very little access to decision making power, both privately and publicly. Gender based violence is widespread, as are cultural practices that privilege tradition over women’s equity.

In response to this, and as a capacity building measure both for partners and themselves, three of Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Africa offices – South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria – have embarked on a three year learning project to critically reflect on their countries’ instruments to advance women's engagement in political governance – as well as promote effective goverance. The project’s main output will be three learning forums, convened in each of the partner countries, that will bring together feminist academics, activists and political actors to exchange and reflect on engendering leadership in Africa.

The video profiles below comprise one of the learning tools that will be employed in these forums and beyond: the stories of nine African women politicians who, under different conditions, political systems, and in their own way, have tried to use their political platforms to advance women’s rights. The videos aim to foster debate about issues that affect effective leadership and how the profiled women have navigated political and personal challenges.

The videos feature nine prominent female political leaders from 3 countries, selected from among a growing crop of successful female leaders in the continent. 

• From Kenya: Julia Ojiambo (2 time elected Member of Parliament and Minister), Eddah Gachukia (2 time nominated Member of Parliament and Minister), and Joan Mjomba (First female Mayor in Voi, Coast Province).
• From South Africa: Lynne Brown, Janet Semple and Nandi Mayathula-Khoza (former Mayor of Soweto).
• From Nigeria: Inna Ciroma, Nkoyo Toyo and Hajiya Najatu Muhammed.

These video profiles serve as a tool to promote women engagement in political leadership, motivate leaders, and educate on circumstances that affect governance in the region.