This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Tinuade Adekunbi Ojo, from the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Johannesburg. She also serves as the Pan African Women Studies unit head at the Institute of Pan African Thought and Conversation. 2024 is an election year for more than 60 countries around the world, representing almost 50% of the global population. Political policies shape the narrative of societies and underscores importance of citizen’s having a say in the way that their country is governed. Prof Ojo, shares her journey into political studies, which grew out of her background in developmental studies, and focusses on issues that address women’s economic empowerment. We reflect on the political representation of women in various countries, such as Rwanda with the highest representation of women in parliament in comparison to Nigeria, which has one of the lowest. We discuss how women’s political representation impacts on gender sensitive policies, for example, health, education, financial inclusion, gender equality, gender-based violence etc…which contribute to better lives for women. Aspiring female politicians are change makers for women; and they need support to function optimally through personal and collective collaborative networks.  Prof Ojo, reminds to be tenacious and fight for our dreams, to believe in ourselves, to use challenges as opportunities to grow and to surround ourselves with positive supporters. Tune in for more…