International IDEA convened a workshop to present the handbook Les Femmes au parlement: Au-delà du nombre (Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers) and its key findings at the Liberal Internationals 52nd Congress. The workshop took place within the session “Enhancing Participation of Women in African Politics” shared with The Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD).

The objective of the event was to show-case the French version of the handbook, Women in Parliament: Beyond Numbers to the practitioners and politicians participating in the Liberal International Congress and to share experiences regarding women’s political participation particularly in West Africa. The panelists consisted of Dr. Aminata Faye Kasse from the Senegal Commission of Women, Professor Augustin Loada from the Centre for Democratic Governance in Burkina Faso, Dr. Nestorine Sangare Compaore, Gender consultant for CDG, and Cecilia Bylesjo, Project Consultant for International IDEA. Key issues of debate included the importance of the electoral system type, political party structures and how to lobby for women to be involved in political decision-making.

The workshop was attended by participants to the Liberal International Congress, and included the Senegalese Minister of Culture, the Minister of Social Affairs, and the Minister of Women.