This serves as a key lesson for Commonwealth countries, indicating that despite constitutional, legislative and/or electoral reforms, political parties have to endorse these reforms and implement the required changes before women can actively participate in politics, leadership and decision-making roles. Recognising the resistance to change in specific political architectures has resulted in the imposition of fines and rewards by legislation on political parties to ensure implementation. Capacity building initiatives - Gender awareness training programmes should be established within educational and political institutions, and provided to women candidates to connect political aspirants to opportunities for leadership.