South African-based gender advocacy organization, Gender Links, just released a report detailing a likely rise of women’s representation in South Africa’s parliament from 33% to 45%. Since South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994 when the percentage of women’s representation rose from 2.7% to 27%, this would represent the largest increase in women’s political participation.  The elections are scheduled to take place on April 22 and if the majority of women candidates succeed, South Africa would be on course to reach 50% women’s participation in political decision-making  by 2015.

WCI has a strong relationship with South Africa’s Women’s Caucus,  and organized a Parlimentary Study Tour for members of Ethiopia’s Women’s Caucus to meet with women parliamentarians in South Africa.  WCI wishes the women candidates well in their remaining days of campaigning and in the elections.

Access the report here or at the  Gender Links site.