To All Political Parties

Ensure Local Authorities Election Amendments

Increases Nominations for women:

1/3 of Wards and 50:50 on PF Lists

We believe that a fundamental barrier to women’s representation is the very low rate of nominations given to women by all political parties, especially the mainstream parties.

Despite increasing numbers of politically active women within political parties and in their communities it is clear that parties, in the misguided belief that they cannot win seats, are reluctant to nominate women.

It is regrettable that not a single political party recognizes the capabilities and hard work women put into their political activity at local, provincial and national levels.  Women have to work twice as hard as men to receive any recognition and are constantly overlooked and discriminated against.

A number of women’s organizations have been campaigning and advocating for more than a decade for a quota for women at least at the level of nominations. We have met with and raised our concerns with the leaders of all political parties. We have submitted proposals to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform. Up to now, none of these interventions have elicited specific and positive actions in this regard.

It is our right not to be discriminated against and to be allowed an equal opportunity to contest for elections

We call upon all political parties to guarantee that the proposed Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill provide binding measures to ensure that women receive nominations for 1/3 of Wards and make up 50% of the PR lists. 

We strongly believe that an increased representation of women in politics will contribute to a political culture free of violence and corruption.