East African women leaders unite to redefine governance through quotas and inclusion

The Heinrich Böll Foundation Nairobi hosted a three-day peer exchange for women leaders from East and Horn of Africa. The event took place from 24th to 26th September 2013. Participants included women from Burundi, Somalia, Somaliland, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. The exchange focused on the role of women in leadership and how quotas can change governance. Discussions explored the presence and influence of women in decision-making positions. Facilitative methods were used to create new knowledge and shared strategies, including leveraging political systems to advance women’s agendas.

Rwanda stood out with 64% women in its parliament, the highest among the attending nations. Globally, only 30 countries have reached 30% women representation in parliaments, largely due to affirmative action. Prof. Maria Nzomo of IDIS argued that quotas are a temporary fix, not a lasting solution to under-representation.

The event ended with a Gender Forum. This forum called for greater accountability from stakeholders to ensure inclusivity in leadership. Participants agreed that affirmative action remains a short-term measure to boost women’s involvement in governance. The peer exchange highlighted progress in women’s representation, with Rwanda leading in parliamentary inclusion. The discussions and forum reinforced the need for continued efforts to embed gender equality in governance. Affirmative action was recognised as a stepping stone, not a final answer.