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Wednesday, July 22, 2026
News and Views from the Global South
Women in Politics
ZAMBIA: Largely Peaceful Elections
Only two incidents of violence, triggered by the late start of voting and the suspicion of electoral fraud, were reported as Zambians went to the polls to elect a new president and government on Tuesday.
ZAMBIA-ELECTIONS: Perpetrators of Violence Warned: ‘Expect No Mercy’
As Zambians go to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new government and president they do so amid fears of election violence.
ZAMBIA: Social Media to Monitor Elections
When Zambians go the polls on Sep. 20 they will have the most effective team of observers monitoring the electoral process – themselves. Citizens, through social media, will be able to report offences and irregularities during and before the general elections.
MALAWI: Government Becomes a One-Man Show
For the last two weeks, Malawi’s president has been running the country’s 22 ministries on his own after firing his entire cabinet. But political and economic analysts say that his delay in appointing a new cabinet is detrimental to the country’s development. Some analysts say government has come to a standstill because of this, while others say the situation shows that the president has lost control.
ZAMBIA: Outlook Dim for Women Candidates
Although there is a female presidential candidate contesting Zambia's Sept. 20 general elections, her prospects are not strong. And in fact, fewer women overall are likely to be elected into public office this year, analysts say.
Q&A: ‘Men Have Failed Zambia, Now Is the Time for a Woman’
In Zambia's highly patriarchal society Edith Nawakwi, 52, has broken a few records on the political scene over the last two decades. And she broke another one on Sunday by being the only female candidate to file for nomination to run for president in Zambia's upcoming elections.
KENYA: Post Election Violence Victims Still Suffer
The Mawingu camp for internally displaced persons affected by Kenya’s 2007- 2008 post-election violence is a desolate place. Located in the Rift Valley, the camp is a collection of tattered, sagging and forlorn tents.
SWAZILAND: Impossible for Children to Access Public Information
Many public officials in Swaziland do not think that access to information is a public right, but rather a privilege – which can be withdrawn at anytime.SOUTH SUDAN: Row Over Exorbitant Fees for Pipeline Use
Less than three weeks after gaining independence, South Sudan is embroiled in a row with Sudan over pipeline fees charged by the latter to export oil.SOUTH SUDAN: Women Hope Independence Means Less Maternal Deaths
Mother of eight, Jessicah Foni, 36, hopes that independence will mean a hospital will soon be built in her village. Foni, who has travelled from a remote village in South Sudan to the state’s capital to celebrate independence, lost two babies at birth because of the lack of medical facilities in her area.
SUDAN: Close to War As the South Prepares to Celebrate Independence
Sudan is closest to civil war since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.
SOUTH SUDAN: Q&A: Spirits High in South Sudan Despite Unresolved Issues
As South Sudan prepares to cede from the North, it faces tremendous challenges towards building a nation and a sense of nationhood.SOUTH SUDAN: Equitable Oil Deal Needed For Peace
The sharing of oil between North and South Sudan needs to be urgently addressed otherwise conflict between the two regions will escalate and could possibly lead to civil war, according to government officials and rights organisations.SOUTH SUDAN: Fuel Shortages Grip Country
South Sudan is facing severe fuel shortages less than three weeks before it gains independence from the rest of the country. Many gas stations have shut down and those that remain open have people lining up overnight for fuel.SOUTHERN AFRICA: Reforms First, Elections Later
A new constitution, voters’ roll and electoral law, among other things, have to be in place before elections in Zimbabwe can be held but observers doubt if this can be implemented.COTE D’IVOIRE: Challenge of Restoring Security
In a shelter covered by a tattered blue tarpaulin, Ibrahim Traoré sits beside his militia commander to hear complaints from residents of the Abidjan neighbourhood of Abobo-Avocatier.
ZAMBIA: Hope for Women Politicians
Mirriam Kauseni is on a quest to become her town’s first ever female parliamentarian. She has yet to be elected to run for the post by her party, the Patriotic Front (PF), but Kauseni has already been conducting door-to-door campaigns, telling people to vote for her in the country’s national elections.ZIMBABWE: Rural Women Voting With Their Feet
At independence in 1980, Loyce Tshuma (55), a villager in rural Tsholotsho in Matebeleland North, was a loyal believer in politics as a powerful vehicle to change and better lives. Since then she never missed an opportunity to cast her vote.
SOUTH AFRICA : Women Candidates Struggle in Local Government Elections
Political parties should be forced, through changes in legislation, to bring more women into government.
POLITICS: First Woman Speaker of Parliament Changing Politics
Very soon wives in Uganda will legally have the right to a share in their husband’s property, that’s if the country’s new speaker of parliament has her way.
SOUTH AFRICA: Woman Navigating a Tough Political System
Victoria Zanele KaMagwaza-Msibi admits she is no angel. But for 30 years she’s navigated through South Africa’s tough political landscape, mainly as a member of a male-dominated party, and now as the leader of her own political party.« Previous Page — Next Page »
In societies throughout the world, women’s participation in political and leadership roles is limited. Underrepresented as voters and position holders, women are restricted at local and at global levels. A variety of obstacles bar women’s political participation. Reduced access to education in many countries, as well as weaker political connections make it more difficult for women to enter the political stage. In addition, there are many discriminatory laws that severely reduce the opportunity for women to gain leadership positions. As has been seen, there are many individuals who have overcome these obstacles with great success. There have been great strides to increase women’s political participation. In the last 20 years, the percentage of women in parliamentary positions has nearly doubled. This promising, albeit slow progress, is necessary to empower women and reduce gender inequality. These articles look at various aspects of women’s participation politics.
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