Democratization Challenges: Women, Youth, and Electoral Dynamics in French-Speaking Africa

By Aurelia Njomo Endeley

Women and youth are positioned at the center of African development according to Aspiration 6 of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063 (1). Specifically, youth make up over half of Africa’s population. The AU estimates that there are about 400 million people between the ages of 15 and 35 (2). However, they are disregarded in electoral and political processes. Participation in elections is essential to a functioning democracy. It guarantees the inclusion of public opinions in government decisions. Nonetheless, there are notable differences in election participation across the globe. African nations that speak French have a difficult time maintaining their democratic systems  Weak political structures were frequently left behind by the colonial history of these countries (3). The sudden shift from colonial to independent authority left many countries with political structures that were either underdeveloped or ill-adapted to their particular circumstances (4). The shift from colonial control to economic instability, coupled with high rates of poverty and unemployment that compound political instability, has resulted in coups, civil wars, and protracted conflicts in many Francophone African nations. For instance, there have been several political upheavals in the Central African Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad. (5).

Young people and women are two important categories that are frequently underrepresented in the voting booth (6;7). Globally, young people are often underrepresented in voting and political processes due to various factors, including disillusionment with political systems, lack of trust in politicians, and feeling that their voices are not heard(8:9). Similarly, women face barriers such as cultural norms, lack of access to education, and economic constraints that limit their political participation. Despite progress in some areas, women remain underrepresented in political offices and voting booths (10). Women in Francophone Africa face additional challenges due to traditional gender roles and limited access to resources. While there have been efforts to increase women’s political participation, progress is slow, and women are still significantly underrepresented.

The statistics on women and youths’ political participation and their contributions to Francophone Africa’s democracy are presented in this policy brief. It also examines the significance of women and youths’ widespread voting in Francophone Africa and makes recommendations for bridging the participation gap and increasing engagement. In addition, it looks at how the under-representation of women and young people obstructs democracy and offers policy recommendations to encourage more participation in it.

Some practical aspects of young people and women’s democratic involvement in francophone Africa

Overall women constitute about 24% of parliamentarians in Africa, with 25% in lower houses and 20% in upper houses (11). Rwanda leads globally with 61.3% of parliamentary seats held by women (12), Senegal women hold approximately 43% of seats in the National Assembly (13), Burkina Faso Women’s representation in parliament is around 11% (14), Ivory Coast, women occupy about 15% of parliamentary seats (15) while Cameroonian women hold roughly 31% of seats in the National Assembly. The youth population in Africa is significant, with over 60% of the continent’s population under 25 years old (16). However, their representation in governance is minimal. Many young people feel disconnected from the political process and believe that their participation will not lead to meaningful change. Youth voter turnout tends to be lower compared to older age groups. For instance, in many Francophone African countries, youth voter turnout is often below 50% (17). Despite lower voter turnout, young people are active in other forms of political engagement, such as protests and social media activism (18).

In Senegal, youth participation in elections has been increasing, with significant involvement in recent presidential elections. However, many young people still feel marginalized by the political system. Youths in Burkina Faso played a pivotal role in the 2014 uprising that led to the ousting of President Blaise Compaoré (19). Their participation in protests and civil society movements is notable. In Ivory Coast youths face challenges such as unemployment and political disenchantment persist. Similarly, youth in Cameroon participation in politics is relatively low, with many young people expressing distrust in the electoral process and political institutions (20). For instance, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) has taken steps to boost the number of young people registered on electoral lists, although it should be highlighted that young people do not always use their right to vote at the various electoral events (21). This is because African youth politicians are generally corrupt and whoever associates with them is bound to be corrupted.  Further, the opportunity cost of voting by the youths is higher than adults as they have a less flexible employment timetable and insignificant financial pay scale, which reduce their likelihood of taking time off to vote. (22) More often than not, African youths have resorted to alternative ways of expressing their dissatisfaction, as most of them have turned to violence and civil disobedience. Additionally, when it comes to the allocation of elective roles, women and youngsters represent the “social cadets.” In the Senate, local and regional governments, and the National Assembly, young people are either nonexistent or disproportionately represented

Why Women and Youth Matter

There has been an attempt to encourage women to participate in politics and elections. Several countries have implemented quotas for women in parliament. Rwanda is a leading example, boasting the highest percentage of women parliamentarians globally (over 60%) thanks to its quota system. Senegal also has a quota system, aiming for a 30% minimum representation (23). Civil society activists’ advocacy has resulted in legislative frameworks that uphold the rights and participation of women. Women are still underrepresented in parliament and in positions of decision-making, notwithstanding global advancements in countries like Chad and Gabon have less than 10% of women representation in parliament (24). Stereotypes about gender roles and societal expectations are obstacles (25). Over the past 20 years, women’s political participation in Africa has increased. From 9% in 2000 to 25% in 2020, there was an increase in representation in parliament (26; 27).

Youth (those between the ages of 15 and 35) are a politically marginalized demographic. When compared to other age groups, their voting turnout is frequently the lowest. Many countries across Francophone Africa experience lower voter turnout among youth compared to older demographics. A study by Afrobarometer (28) found that youth voter turnout can be 10-20 percentage points lower than older citizens in countries like Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.  The 2019 elections in Senegal saw a significant disparity in voter turnout, with youth participation much lower than older demographics. This led to movements like “Y en a marre!” (We’ve had enough!), a youth-led movement demanding change and increased youth political participation (29).Similar patterns of low youth voter turnout were observed in the 2020 elections in Burkina Faso. Frustration with a lack of economic opportunities and political representation among youth is a growing concern. While youth participation is increasing slightly, Côte d’Ivoire still struggles with a gap between youth demographics and those holding political power.  Movements like “On bouge” (We’re on the move) advocate for greater youth inclusion.

Although opinions on what constitutes “youth” differ among nations and areas, youth participation is nonetheless vital to influencing modern politics (30). Achieving development goals in Africa requires acknowledging the youthful population of the continent as well as the leadership and active engagement of young people, particularly women.

Democracies are strengthened in a number of ways when women and young people participate more actively. Increased inclusion of women and youth ensures that policies take a broader range of experiences into account and brings a variety of goals and viewpoints to the table. Since their engagement will make policy relevant, elected officials are held more accountable when these populations are actively involved in problems that affect them. Since women and young people account for a sizable share of the population, their involvement guarantees that policies are pertinent to their demands (31).

Challenges to Participation

Notwithstanding the advantages, a number of obstacles prevent young people and women from actively participating in elections. First of all, societal expectations and gender stereotypes may deter women from seeking public office or casting ballots (32), and financial limitations may make it more difficult for young people to engage in campaigning or turn out the vote (33). Similar to this, youth voter participation may be low due to disillusionment with political processes, since some may have little to no faith in the system. Women and young people may find it extremely difficult to participate if they have limited access to information and are unaware of the registration, voting, and candidate platform processes (34).

Policy Recommendations

• Promote Gender Parity: Implement quotas for women’s representation in political parties and government positions. Provide resources for women’s leadership training and campaign funding.
• Youth Political Participation: Develop civic education programs that target youth, encouraging them to register and vote. Create youth parliaments and mentorship programs to foster political engagement.
• Inclusive Political Parties: Encourage political parties to adopt quotas and training programs for women and youth candidates. Support internal party reforms that promote diverse voices and address their policy priorities.
• Secure Electoral Processes: Invest in security measures to ensure safe and peaceful elections, particularly in areas prone to violence. Implement campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of peaceful participation.
• Empowering Civil Society: Support civil society organizations (CSOs) working on voter education, mobilization, and leadership development for women and youth. Encourage collaboration between CSOs and political institutions.

Conclusion

Expanded involvement of women and youth in politics is crucial to the development of dynamic and inclusive democracies in French-speaking Africa. By putting these policy proposals into practice, we can ensure that voters’ opinions are heard and that obstacles to their participation are removed. Better policies that take into consideration the interests of all citizens and guarantee a more active and transparent democracy will result from this, eventually bolstering these democracies.