Voice and Influence

Gender equality in decision-making is both a question of human rights and a democratic socio-economic imperative. The occupation of key institutional positions by women is a pre-requisite for their meaningful participation in national development processes that include their participation in the economy and the attainment of their rights. A greater presence of women in public office, consultation with client women of public services to capture their voices responding to their needs, demands, and reforms to legal, policy frameworks, and judicial systems are all key democratic factors that cannot be realised in the absence of women’s participation in governance.