The insufficiency of the quota system : a reconceptualisation and meso-analysis of women’s political empowerment in Africa

Abstract

This thesis examines women’s political empowerment with its central tenets of equity and equality. Women’s political empowerment will be examined within the context of the gender mainstreaming agenda of the African Union (AU). This agenda is expected to be implemented on a regional and national level to ensure equity and equality within institutions of political decision-making. The literature has been skewed towards the quota system of representation, which focuses on the increase in proportion of women in politics and decision-making.

This conceals non-numerical components of women’s political empowerment that are crucial for ensuring equity, equality, and women’s empowerment. Focusing solely on quantifiable measurements is insufficient; therefore, this study proposes that additional, non-numerical variables contribute to achieving women’s political empowerment. The addition of these variables to the quota system variable, which is used by the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and national gender instruments to assess women’s political empowerment in Africa, will provide a qualitative perspective on women’s political empowerment objectives.

The cases of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) (regional) and Zimbabwe (national) will be used to reflect on how women’s political empowerment has been conceptualised. Moreover, data obtained through semi-standardised interviews at the African Union Commission and a document analysis will inform the argument to address the research question. The thesis is an analytical study that uses a qualitative research approach informed by a constructivist worldview, which in turn informs the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis methods.