Togo/Elections : The State continues its policy of promoting women in public administration
The Togolese government has been committed for several years to promoting the emancipation and empowerment of Togolese women on all fronts. Politically, women are encouraged to participate in nation-building by occupying strategic positions.
To achieve this, measures have been taken to encourage women to become more involved in electoral processes launched in Togo. Among these measures is the creation of a conducive legal framework in the electoral code, in line with the Maputo Protocol, and the sensitization of women and the entire population across the country about the importance of their contribution to the country’s development.
Thus, participation fees for elections have been halved for female candidates. For example, in the upcoming electoral deadlines, candidates will only pay half of the deposit, set at 500.000 CFA francs for legislative elections and 200.000 CFA francs for regional ones, in accordance with the electoral code.
To date, the rate of women’s representation in decision-making bodies in the country remains low. Efforts are ongoing from authorities, organizations, and associations specialized in women’s rights advocacy in Togo to raise the level of representation in the national assembly and local authorities to reach 50%.
As a reminder, the next legislative and regional elections in Togo will take place on April 13, 2024, as decided by the Council of Ministers on Thursday, February 8. For this purpose, female candidacies are strongly encouraged for an effective involvement of women in the development process initiated in the country, as advocated by President Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE.
