Women win historic representation in Sao Tome and Principe parliament
18 women now sit in the 55-seat National Assembly, the highest number ever.
18 of the 55 deputies in Sao Tome and Principe's new National Assembly are women, marking the largest female representation in the country's history. This increase follows the 2022 Parity Law, which mandates a minimum of 40% for each sex on party candidate lists for elected bodies.
Vera Cravid, the Minister of Justice, Parliamentary Affairs, and Women's Rights, stated that this signifies women's greater involvement in defining societal issues and decisions. Newly elected deputies, such as Dicla Almeida from the ADI parliamentary group, expressed determination to meet public expectations, while Conceição Raposo of the MLSTP group highlighted her commitment to the country's betterment.
Some elected deputies, including Nadiareth Barros from MCI-PS/PUN, plan to address issues like rising violence against women and the plight of homeless individuals with mental health problems. The XIII Legislature's opening also saw a female majority in the National Assembly's leadership, with Nilda da Mata elected president unanimously by all 55 deputies present.
Why it mattersThe increased representation of women in parliament means more focus on issues directly affecting women and the general population.