Between Gains and Gaps: 2025 Elections and Gender in Africa
Tuesday, 25 November 2025
12pm Washington D.C.
5pm London
6pm Kinshasa / Lagos / Paris
7pm Harare
8pm NairobiAgainst the backdrop of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25), this program spotlights Africa’s 2025 elections as a pivotal moment for gender, politics, and power on the global stage.
While women have been largely excluded from the continent’s highest offices, this election cycle may signal a shift: Namibia’s first female president and Ghana’s first female vice president exemplify new possibilities, and trailblazers like Simone Gbagbo (Côte d’Ivoire), Hermine Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya (Cameroon), and emerging leaders such as Yvonne Mpambara (Uganda) are challenging entrenched norms and injecting fresh ideas into political life.
Substantial obstacles persist, however. Uganda’s 2026 presidential ballot features no women - a stark reminder of enduring structural barriers, patriarchal systems, and institutional resistance. Even where women do run for high office, disparities in campaign funding, media coverage, and the grip of political dynasties reveal a gap between symbolic milestones and real power.
This show convenes women who have run for - or are currently campaigning in upcoming elections - to address some enduring questions: How can women navigate entrenched political systems? Can their rising visibility transform into influence? And what do these breakthroughs and setbacks signal about the future of democracy - not just in Africa but worldwide?
Join us as we examine the progress, the challenges, and the bold vision of those redefining leadership – and democracy – across Africa.
Moderation
Mantate Mlotshwa
Mantate Mlotshwa is a passionate advocate for the meaningful contribution of women and youth to democracy and governance processes. The Founder of the creative brand U Motle, she has earned a reputation for speaking her mind and promoting positive messages of liberation and emancipation in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith is an award-winning human rights campaigner, social media influencer, and a prolific writer. He is co-creator of The Resistance Bureau and also founding director of Vanguard Africa, a nonprofit organization that partners with visionary African leaders to defend democracy, build campaigns for free and fair elections, and promote ethical leadership.