In the fifteen years that have followed the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), Africa has witnessed many positive changes and breakthroughs for women on the continent. These successes were profiled and showcased at the 8th Africa Review meeting held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 16-20 November, 2009. The review process was about accountability regarding delivery on existing commitments and concrete the steps taken to ensure gender equality, equity and women's empowerment in all areas.

It is in this context that the UNDP and ECA have jointly organised a panel discussion on 'Women's Political Participation and the Use of the Quotas as a Strategy for Accelerating Gender Equality on Wednesday at the Kairaba Beach Hotel.

The objective of the panel discussion was to exchange experiences and make recommendations on best practices and challenges regarding how the adoption of the quota system with regards to women has increased political participation. The panel was focused on how women's political participation at local, national and regional levels have increased by the increasing numbers of women in legislatures and senior government positions.

The panel was composed of women decision-makers from different countries of the region with different experiences with the quotas. They shared their experiences on how they were able to impact on the political agenda in favour of women, the challenges they faced in the process, and what positive political outcomes for women resulted from their actions and more specifically from the adoption of the quota.