New Publication Explores Women’s Political Participation and Inclusive Governance Across Africa

Reflections from Kenya, Madagascar and West Africa examine the structural, political and social dynamics shaping women’s leadership and participation in political life.

The European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), together with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), has launched Advancing Women’s Political Participation and Empowerment in Africa, a new collection of articles exploring women’s political leadership, democratic participation and inclusive governance across different African contexts.

How do women experience political participation beyond formal representation? What barriers continue to shape access to political leadership, even where legal frameworks for equality already exist? And what lessons can democratic actors and international partners draw from local experiences across African countries?

Bringing together perspectives from Kenya, Madagascar and West Africa, the publication examines how structural inequalities, informal power dynamics, sociocultural norms and political gatekeeping continue to shape women’s participation in political life. At the same time, the contributions highlight emerging approaches and local experiences that challenge traditional understandings of political participation and democratic inclusion.

Among the themes explored in the publication are women’s political leadership and representation in Kenya, gendered dynamics within political institutions, experimental and participatory approaches to power relations in Madagascar, and the non-legislative barriers that continue to affect women’s participation across African political contexts.

The publication includes contributions by:

• Laura Lahner, Policy Officer at the Brussels Office of the Hanns Seidel Foundation,
• Dr. Catheline N. Bosibori, scholar and researcher on gender and political governance in Kenya,
• Dr. Ludovic Garattini, researcher and practitioner working on political participation and experimental learning approaches in Madagascar,
• and Lauriane Kindji, lawyer and expert on women’s political participation and governance in West Africa.

The collection also reflects on the broader role of international cooperation and democracy support in advancing inclusive political participation and gender equality.

The publication strongly connects to ongoing discussions around inclusive political participation, women’s leadership, democratic governance and the role of political actors in shaping more representative political systems.

Publication Details

Title: Advancing Women’s Political Participation and Empowerment in Africa
Published by: European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP) & Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF)
Editors: Alessia Gonfroid, Raquel Bañón
Authors: Laura Lahner, Dr. Catheline N. Bosibori, Dr. Ludovic Garattini, Lauriane Kindji
Funding: German Federal Foreign Office