Enhancing the Inclusion of Women in Political Participation (WPP) in Africa

The Women in Political Participation (WPP) project is a Pan-African gender project on the different facets of Women and Politics in Africa. Funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, (SIDA) and implemented by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (Intenational IDEA), its aim is to contribute to advancing the goal of gender equality in politics and governance, in line with the Maputo Protocol of 2003; various associated sub-regional protocols and standards, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

WPP project is a consortium of seven partner organizations with International IDEA as the lead implementing partner. The partner organizations include The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), Gender Links, Universite Cheikh Anta Diop’s Gender Laboratory (IFAN), Padare/Enkundleni Men’s Forum on Gender and Women and Law Southern Africa (WLSA).

WPP impact Objectives are:

1. To contribute to an increase in the voice and presence of women in political processes and institutions in Africa.

2. To step up advocacy for, and expand awareness towards increased demand for the

inclusion of women at all levels of political participation and decision-making.

3. To build and strengthen enabling platforms that allow for women’s inclusion in all levels of political participation.

The project is funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Ethiopia. Gender equality and women empowerment is a key foreign policy objective of Sweden, and a key initiative under the Swedish funding strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa.