Sao Tome and Principe elects 19 women to parliament
The number of female lawmakers more than doubled, reaching 34.5% of the new legislature.
19 women have been elected to Sao Tome and Principe's parliament for the first time, a significant increase from eight in the previous term. The new legislature, which begins its session on Tuesday, will see these 19 women comprise 34.5% of the 55 elected members. Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have pledged support to ensure their full participation.
The election of these women follows the implementation of a 2022 parity law requiring a minimum of 40% representation for each sex on candidate lists. According to the Japanese ambassador Yoshio Ando and UNDP resident representative Luc Gnonlonfoun, 16 of the newly elected female deputies have no prior legislative experience. They will need to familiarize themselves with parliamentary procedures, committee work, and budget debates in an environment free from intimidation and violence.
Japan and the UNDP, who supported the implementation of the parity law through debates and training, will continue to work with national authorities to consolidate these gains. Their goal is to ensure that these elected women can effectively exercise their mandates and contribute to national priorities. This effort aims to preserve the achievements of the parity law and build confidence in democratic institutions for future generations of women leaders.
Why it mattersThe election of 19 women to parliament, a result of a new parity law, signifies a major step for women's political representation and democracy in Sao Tome and Principe.