Abstract
abstract Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of government have committed themselves to reaching a ‘critical mass’ of 30% representation of women in political decision-making structures by 2005. This article reflects on the extent of women's political representation in the SADC countries, the barriers to their political participation, and the merits and demerits of quotas and types of electoral systems as means of securing women's representation at a significant level. The focus then moves from the quantitative to a qualitative assessment of such representation in countries of the region. Particular attention is paid to the differences women make and the extent of their commitment to promoting women's/gender issues.
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