Preparing for Elections: Key Strategies for Women Leaders in Africa.
Insights from Vote Women session with Women Leaders
In 2019 my mother called me to ask for my guidance on how she can speak before a multitude of people as she campaigns for a local government leadership position in Engutoto ward, in Arusha, Tanzania. I gave her more than a pep talk because I knew she was going to stand in the face of opposition and she needed to be clear of her mission as she stood in the face of rumours, lies, and possible harassment. My mother, who has no higher education qualification but has completed a computer course, has always relied on me to edit her English letters, ever since. That moment of wanting to support her, wanting her to win, resonates with me deeply as I reflect on the Policy’s Vote Women program, which I am now part of.
The Vote Women program exists to feed this purpose, it is a program founded by Pollicy, an organization with an eye for women’s rights and zealous about building the capacity of women to navigate the digital space. In September 2024, I was privileged to moderate a discussion with women leaders in Tanzania, Senegal and Uganda during the Vote Women Cohort II closing event. Most of the women who attended were ward councillors, local government leaders, and human rights defenders. The biggest question we were trying to unpack was, what can be done to empower effective campaigning for African women leaders, considering the upcoming elections? There will be about 23 elections in Africa by the end of year 2024 including general elections and local government elections. As Africa moves towards its next election cycle, women leaders face both challenges and opportunities in positioning themselves for success. Insights from discussions reveal several key areas that need to be addressed to enhance women’s political participation:
Building Confidence and Leadership Skills: Most of the women in the room agreed on the need for leadership training as an essential part of preparing women for the roles they are contesting for and ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills before embarking on political journeys. In Tanzania, women hold 37.4% of seats in the National Assembly, while Uganda’s Parliament has 33.9% women representation. Senegal’s National Assembly features 46.1% women, supported by gender parity laws. In Kenya, women occupy 23.3% of the National Assembly seats. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has 13.0% of women in its National Assembly. This communicates the need to build the capacity of women to increase their political participation.
Some of the women confessed the number of times they have contested for a position only to end up being disqualified because of not meeting the standards. There has been a song of women empowerment, we have seen women rising with confidence in their voices. However, it is not enough to have confidence, it is not sufficient to speak boldly in front of people, the question is what are you speaking? What do you stand for? Who are you? What change do you want to see? These are foundational questions for those who have the guts to lead as explained by Sinek Simon’s Golden Rule, people do not buy what you do, they buy why you do it. Women leaders need to understand what exactly they do, how they do it and most importantly why they do it. This will position them in a place of undeniable influence and efficiency.
Overcoming Social and Cultural Barriers: A woman councillor from Tanzania, probably in her late 40s, shared how she started her political Journey, she used to escort his husband to political meetings, and there she met her tribe, and they encouraged her to contest for a position. Excitedly she went for it, however, her husband detested it, she quoted him ‘Do you want to carry a briefcase and walk in corridors like me?’. This did not stop her. Cultural norms that discourage women from participating in politics must be challenged and dismantled. Families need to foster environments that encourage women’s full participation in political processes, beginning at the nomination stage, regardless of any discouragement they may face.
Harnessing the Power of Digital Tools: In today’s digital age, social media is a critical tool for outreach and campaigning. We did a poll to find out what tools are mostly used by the women leaders in the room, and WhatsApp ranked higher. Women leaders should maximize the potential of platforms such as Facebook, X, and WhatsApp to engage voters, share their messages, and build support. The Vote Women program provides a course for women who aspire to sharpen their digital leadership. The course is crucial in digital skills development and also in protecting women from online harassment, ensuring they can campaign safely and effectively.
Securing Financial Support and Fundraising Skills: Campaigning requires substantial financial resources, and women need to acquire skills in fundraising and managing campaign finances. Access to financial support through networking with stakeholders and mobilizing existing resources is vital for ensuring women’s campaigns are adequately funded. There are online platforms such as Mkoba
Mentorship and Capacity Building: Women leaders benefit greatly from mentorship programs that offer guidance and social support. Building capacity through these networks helps women push their agendas in the right places and ensures they have the resources and know-how to succeed in leadership roles.
Engaging Male Allies: Successful campaigns should not exclude men. Even though males have been proven to be the perpetrators of online gender-based violence. How do we bring both genders to the same understanding? Some of these men are the husbands, sons, fathers and uncles of our women leaders. Engaging male allies can play a critical role in advancing women’s political participation and fostering gender-inclusive governance.
Preparation is key to success in elections. Women leaders must be well-prepared, both mentally and strategically, to secure their chances in the elections. This includes comprehensive knowledge of their political landscape, campaign strategies, and voter engagement techniques. These focus areas emphasize the importance of confidence-building, digital empowerment, financial backing, mentorship, and collective support in helping African women leaders prepare for the upcoming elections. With the right tools and strategies, women can overcome challenges, gain influence, and shape Africa’s political future.