Top 10 African countries with the highest number of women in national parliament

Women’s involvement in politics has progressed greatly since the early 20th century. The journey began with groundbreaking victories, as countries like New Zealand, Finland, and the United States led the way in granting women the right to vote and run for office.

• Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the highest number of women in national parliament.
• The list is courtesy of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s database.
• Rwanda leads the world with over 60% of its parliamentary seats held by women.

Women’s involvement in politics has progressed greatly since the early 20th century. The journey began with groundbreaking victories, as countries like New Zealand, Finland, and the United States led the way in granting women the right to vote and run for office.

Over time, targeted efforts such as gender quotas, reserved seats, and advocacy for equal representation have significantly increased the presence of women in parliaments across the world.

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Today, several countries serve as leading examples of gender-balanced governance. Rwanda, for instance, leads the world with over 60% of its parliamentary seats held by women.

Meanwhile, countries like Sweden, Finland, and Iceland continue to set the bar high with their commitment to inclusive leadership.

Despite significant progress in women’s political participation, numerous obstacles still hinder their full inclusion in leadership roles.

These challenges stem from deeply rooted cultural beliefs, systemic discrimination, financial limitations, and institutional barriers, all of which continue to create an uneven playing field for women in politics.

One of the most persistent obstacles is the influence of traditional cultural norms. In many societies, politics has long been perceived as a male-dominated sphere, making it difficult for women to establish themselves as credible leaders.

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Beyond this, the lack of institutional support presents another significant hurdle. Many political parties are hesitant to promote female candidates, often prioritizing male contenders for leadership roles. Weak institutional frameworks further undermine efforts to ensure gender parity in governance.

As the world pushes for greater gender equality, the theme for the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 campaign, ‘Accelerate Action,’ stresses the urgent need for swift and decisive measures to close the gender gap.

Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest number of women in national parliament: