Legislative elections in Madagascar: candidates strengthen their skills

From May 2 to 5, 2024, 50 women candidates – and their representatives – in the legislative elections are participating in a capacity building workshop in preparation for the May 29 elections.  
Madagascar, like many other countries, faces persistent challenges in gender equality and women’s political participation. Despite the progress made over the years, women remain largely under-represented in decision-making spheres, including in Parliament. The capacity building workshop for women candidates for legislative elections therefore constitutes a crucial step in bridging this gap and promoting equal opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their gender. 

Supervised by experts and experienced professionals, participants have the opportunity to consolidate their skills in various key areas linked to legislative elections: legal framework, responsibilities of parliamentarians, electoral disputes, management of political violence during electoral periods, campaign strategies , advocacy and leadership techniques…

Led by the National Council of Women (CNFM), this activity is supported by the OIF, via its Directorate of Political Affairs and Democratic Governance and its Representation for the Indian Ocean. By supporting the active participation of women in the electoral process, the OIF contributes to strengthening representativeness and diversity within democratic institutions, to promoting more equitable and egalitarian access to places of power and decision-making and to creating the 
conditions for ‘full participation in decision-making processes at all levels of political, economic and public life. 

The workshop participants expressed their gratitude to the OIF for its support and commitment to the empowerment of women in politics. They highlighted the importance of such initiatives to overcome the obstacles and prejudices that women face when entering political life. 

The impact of this initiative will be felt well beyond the May 2024 elections, encouraging greater representation of women in all spheres of public life.  Note that100 young people and women have already benefited from this support last year. So many significant steps towards the empowerment of women in the Malagasy political landscape.