2012 SADC Gender Protocol Barometer

Woman-power swept onto the Southern African scene in a visible way in 2012. First, Joyce Banda unexpectedly assumed the post as the first woman President of Malawi, and first woman SADC head of state in April. Next, South Africa's former Minister of Home Affairs Nkosozana Dlamini-Zuma worked her way through several barriers to become the first woman chair of the African Union Commission after a tough fight in July.