The election of the first African woman president in 2006 in Liberia has set precedence and provided a role model on the Continent. In Algeria a woman has run as a candidate for presidency, and in Gabon, a woman in her capacity as President of the Senate was made interim president of the Republic till elections.

Countries have adopted different plans, programmes and measures to encourage and promote the representation of women in decision-making. For example, Ghana implemented a 40% quota and the government of Burundi and Burkina Faso adopted a 30% minimum quota in government and parliament. Morocco is providing financial grants to parties to encourage women representation in their electoral lists.

However, Africa is faced with a challenge of reaching a 50/50 gender parity target set by the African Union (AU) in the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa (SDGEA). The modest number of women in decision making positions at all levels shows that leadership and decision making is still a closed circle and any significant breakthrough requires innovative measures, affirmative actions and further determination from women themselves.