Coast women yesterday admitted they have lagged behind in political leadership because of culture biases and poverty.

They were speaking during a media encounter between women groups and journalists organised by the African Woman and Child Features Services in Mombasa.

They said the cultural believe that it is men who ought to take up political positions while women offer them support has really affected their participation politics.

Aziz Abdala from Sauti ya Wanawake organization in Mtongwe told the forum that poverty had also contributed to poor representation. "It is time women recognise the importance of participation and broke away from restrictions," she said.