Somaliland leads charge for African women

Ms Ismail is one of Africa's most pro-active minister

The foreign minister of the self-declared republic of Somaliland has told the BBC she believes a number of Africa's problems would be eased if there were more women leaders on the continent.

Edna Adan Ismail said much of Africa's suffering, especially that stemming from military conflict, would be eased if women were at the top and allowed to approach the issues from their own perspective.

"I think more social areas would be better developed if women were in more decision-making positions because these are the areas that really touch women and their families and their children," Ms Ismail told BBC World Service's Africa Live! programme.

She said more women leaders would lead to an emphasis on health, education, sanitation and water on the continent.

"I think that there would be more tolerance, there would be less violent military movements," she said.

"Certainly problems would be solved by diplomatic channels rather than by seeking a military solution.

"There would be fewer military coup d'etats and military takeovers.

"I think the world would be a much better place."

The foreign minister of the breakaway republic of Somaliland is well known in her country, having been married to the late President Mohammed Egal.

'Great bounds'

Meanwhile Kenya's shadow labour minister Orie Rogo Manduli described the increased involvement of women in the political process as "completely and absolutely overdue".

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"It is only when political parties start to take their women more seriously, and give their women greater responsibility and participation in the parties, that the parties will really mean anything," she said.

"In this country, Kenya, a party that has done that in a very small measure has leapt great bounds and done very well.

"It is obvious now that Africa needs women at the top."

She said she felt the time was approaching when there would be a massive influx of women into top government positions throughout Africa.

"Women have been ready - they have been ready forever," she said.

"This time round we want it, and we are demanding that we are given the opportunity to run things."

Advice and support

One of those who has been already tipped to go into power in the future is nine-year-old Chine Mwanere - speaker at the Nigerian children's parliament.

Miss Mwanere, who has gained a reputation as an accomplished speaker despite her young age, added her voice to the campaign to see more women in power.

"We can see that in most countries in Africa, women are beginning to attain a higher level of education in all types of endeavour," she said.

"Secondly we can see the majority of the people in the population are women.

"They are the drawers of water, collectors of firewood, protectors of the environment - they are the mothers of the children and wives of the husbands.

"Therefore they are the pillars of the family and pillars of the nation."

She said women's' networking skills would be immeasurably useful in positions of responsibility.

Chine Mwanere is highly respected in the children's parliament

"In Africa and Nigeria in particular if women are given high positions, most of their relations rally round them to advise them and give them the necessary support, morally and otherwise," she said.

"This advice and support encourages them to be good leaders."

However, she said she had no intention of becoming one of these leaders.

"Many people have asked me to become a senator or Nigeria's president, but that's against my wish," she said.

"When I grow up I will do what I like - not because people are telling me to. I want to become a medical doctor."