Elections increasingly becoming a forum for women's voices

Change is afoot in Western Africa this summer, where peaceful elections in Mali signaled a transition back to democratic rule, an important step on the path to the country’s recovery. Mali’s leadership has been in flux since the coup d’état in early 2012, followed by renewed fighting between Tuareg rebels and government forces, and the seizure of the country’s northern territory by several radical armed groups.

The coup d’état and rebellion had a severe impact on all Malians, but it took a particularly hard toll on women. In some cases sharia law was imposed and women were stripped of their rights and forced to cover from head to toe. There was an increase in forced marriage, many women were displaced, and reports of rape and brutality abounded. For these women, and many others in Mali, this summer’s elections signified hope and a return to stability.

Photo: Melissa Belisle

Political candidates are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing issues pertaining to women in their campaigns, and a number of them featured the importance of equality and empowerment for women, including proposals to improve women’s positioning in governance, and the creation of specific women’s funds. 

For some, Haidara Aissata Cissé personifies the increasing representation and promising future for women in the country. As the only woman running in the 2013 presidential elections, and only the second Malian woman ever to run for the role (Sidibé Aminata Diallo ran in 2007), her participation alone suggests that women’s access to politics is building traction. Despite the fact that her support at the polls was dwarfed by Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta’s landslide presidential win on August 11, her views on women’s roles in Mali’s development are gaining momentum, and invigorating the dialogue on women’s issues in Mali.

Although Togo’s elections on July 25 lacked any female presidential candidates, an unprecedented 13 per cent of total candidates running for office were women, which constitutes a 3 per cent increase from the 2007 election participation rates. These figures underline the importance of organizations like our partner GF2D, which educates Togolese women about their legal rights and encourages them to participate in politics.

Despite the small representation of women in office in Togo, strong female voices like those of activist Fabbi Kouassi resound. In her critical and uncensored account of Togolese politics in her blog, she has embarked on a courageous crusade to make politics fair for all, regardless of gender or class. “I want to be able to look our children in the eye and say we fought for something worth fighting for,” she says.

These women’s voices that are coming through loud and clear are testament to the importance of investing in women and girls. As their numbers increase, so too will their impact, creating lasting effects for future generations.