The expansion and strengthening of a multi-generational network and pool of women leaders across the Continent would multiply achievements in engendering democracy. Occupying a seat in parliament is an important achievement, but gender dynamics pervading the political sphere impose additional obstacles. Elected women are still subject to existing structures and manipulations that constantly subvert commitments to gender equality and complicate the pursuit of gender-balanced policies. Although there has been increasing representation of women in parliaments and cabinets, all national reviews on the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action indicate that there is still a low representation of women in decision-making processes.