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Equitable governance and women’s leadership in the Commonwealth Background The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 (PoA) provides the framework to advance gender equality across the Commonwealth. The PoA draws on international commitments for the realisation of women’s rights and recognises that socio-economic development, democracy and peace are inextricably linked to gender equality. One of the priority action areas of the PoA is to mainstream women’s participation in democracy and peace processes. Democracy at the national and local levels promotes transparency and accountability and is essential to efficient and effective delivery of public services, stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty. Elections are the most visible representations of democracy in action and integral to all areas of democratic governance. Despite the importance of elections, a genuine representative democracy goes beyond holding free and fair elections. It should involve all social groups and contribute to women’s empowerment. The Commonwealth context on women’s representation The Commonwealth’s shared histories and values are guided by the recognition that democracy and development are interdependent. The 1991 Harare Declaration also affirms that genuine democratic elections must contribute to women’s empowerment and strengthen gender mainstreaming at all levels of decision making. The 2011 Perth CHOGM and the 2013 Commonwealth Charter placed emphasis on improving gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Commonwealth, and called on Heads of Government to demonstrate commitment by entrenching measures that advance women’s political participation and leadership at all levels of decision making. The growing recognition of women’s effective participation and representation in democratic and peace processes has been widely acknowledged. Actions to realise the international and global targets, especially the equitable representation of women in the political arena, are constantly evolving. Member countries have sought to increase women’s representation in politics through the adoption and implementation of quotas and affirmative Commonwealth Governance 26 Handbook 2013/14 action policies. The proposed ‘target of no less than 30 per cent of women in decision making in the political, public and private sectors by 2005’ (Fifth Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (5WAMM) report, 1996) is attracting increasing support from member countries. Notwithstanding these policy prescriptions, steep challenges still impede the achievement of the 30 per cent global target. The Commonwealth Secretariat is committed to assisting members to achieve equitable governance through its work on democracy, women’s political development and leadership in decision-making positions. The focus recognises the fundamental roles of good governance, transparency and accountability as key drivers of efficient and effective delivery of goods and services, and overall economic growth. Opportunities and challenges to women’s leadership in the Commonwealth a. Heads of Government, cabinet ministers and women speakers of parliament Currently, there is a lack of gender balance in decisionmaking positions in governments around the world and women continue to be under-represented in national parliaments. The share of women among ministers averages at 20.4 per cent and presence at the highest position is even more elusive; only 18 of 193 Heads of State and/or Government globally are women. In 2012, seven were from Commonwealth member countries, namely Prime Ministers Julia Gillard of Australia, Sheikh Hasina Wajed of Bangladesh, Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago and Portia Simpson-Miller of Jamaica; and Presidents Pratibha Patil of India, Joyce Banda of Malawi and Monique Ohsan-Bellepeau of Mauritius. However, by the second half of 2013, only four female Heads of State remain in Bangladesh, Malawi, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, female Governor-Generals represent Queen Elizabeth II in Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, New Zealand and St Lucia. It is noteworthy to share the significance of the first female Chair of the Commonwealth, Prime Minister Persad- Bissessar, handing over the post to another female leader, Prime Minister Gillard, in 2011. ’Kemi Ogunsanya


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