African countries are still far from achieving SDG 5

African countries are still far from achieving women’s equal and effective participation in political decision-making. Women constitute only 24 percent of the 12,113 parliamentarians in Africa, 25 percent in the lower houses, and 20 percent in the upper houses of parliaments. While local government is often hailed as a training ground for women in politics, women constitute a mere 21 percent of councilors in the 19 countries around Africa.

Moreover, during the COVID-19 lockdowns imposed by Southern African countries, some homes across the region became enclaves of cruelty, rape, and violence for women and girls trapped with abusive family members and nowhere to report or escape the danger

In that context, NGOs major group for Africa expresses it hope to improve the role of women in decision-making positions in African countries and stresses the need for African governments to implement SDG 5 to realize gender equality.