In 2001, British Council East and Central Africa asked a cross-section of people in eight African countries what they think about the effectiveness of their political leaders, men and women. The research reported in Effective Leaders? Views from East and Central Africa, is the first time that the views of ordinary people in these countries about their leaders have been researched and published. The British Council also commissioned MORI to conduct similar research in Britain as a comparison.

In response to the research findings, the British Council developed a work-shadowing exchange project between women MPs in the UK and in East and Central Africa.

The Women in Leadership project is a work-shadowing exchange programme whose first phase enabled fourteen women MPs from East and Central Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia) to visit the UK and spend time shadowing UK women MPs in Parliament and in their constituencies. The aim was to develop new understanding of what political leaders can do to represent their constituents effectively, especially women and the disadvantaged.

Following these visits a number of UK MPs made a return trip to visit their exchange partners.

For both groups the experience was an opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by women politicians in very different situations.

Those who took part 2003-2006

	UK MP Country Christine McCafferty MP Zambia Jane Griffiths (former MP) Malawi Julie Kirkbride MP Kenya Cheryl Gillan MP Kenya Candy Atherton (former MP) Uganda Helen Mary Jones AM Uganda Patsy Calton (former MP) Kenya Jane Hutt AM Kenya Lady Sylvia Hermon MP Tanzania Elaine Smith MSP Tanzania Sandra Gidley MP Ethiopia Sally Keeble MP Ethiopia Ann McKechin MP Zambia Claire Curtis-Thomas MP Zambia Vera Baird QC MP Tanzania Jackie Lawrence (former MP) Kenya Linda Fabiani MSP Tanzania Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC MP Tanzania

If you would be interested in taking part in the Africa project, please contact Hannah McConnell