Rwanda women parliament leads the world with 63.8% women. Across the world, political power is still overwhelmingly male. Only 28 countries are led by a woman as Head of State or Government in 2026, and 101 countries have never had a woman leader, according to the new https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2026/03/women-in-politics-map-2026 unveiled at CSW70 in New York.
The report shows worrying stagnation. Women hold https://www.ipu.org/news/women-parliament-2026, with growth slowing to 0.3 percentage points, the slowest since 2017. Fourteen countries have achieved gender parity in cabinets, yet https://www.globalissues.org/news/2025/03/13/39348.
Rwanda: Africa’s Power Model
Africa is not waiting. https://www.ipu.org/news/women-parliament-2026, the highest globally, thanks to constitutional quotas. This is a model we at https://sylviangige.com have been advocating for Anambra and Nigeria. And we pray that the 2029 general election will usher in a era in the political history of Nigeria. An era where more women will participate in elective positions and win.
Nigeria: The Contrast
Despite being Africa’s largest democracy, Nigeria ranks near the bottom globally. Women hold less than 5 percent of seats in the National Assembly. In Anambra State, women are the backbone of voter turnout yet are absent from budget rooms. Nigeria must emulate the Rwanda and encourage the women to participate fully in Politics.
Rwanda shows quotas work when backed by political will. Nigeria’s 35% Affirmative Action must move from party constitutions into real committee chairmanships. It’s time for Finance, not just Women Affairs. More women to be at the table where decisions are made! More women at the national and State Assemblies participating with the men in decisions that will bring sustainable development to the citizens.
