The Right Honorable Madam Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Mrs Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, MP, launched the Regional Peer Learning Network on Strengthening Women’s Representation in Electoral Management Bodies (EMBS) in the Great Lakes Region (GLR), on 19th July 2022, at Protea Hotel Ciela Spa in Lusaka. The event was organised by, among other Institutions, the Levy MwanawasaRegional Centre for Democracy and Good Governance (LMRC), which is an organisation within the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) System.

The objective of the Network is to create a platform for dialogue among stakeholders on gender and electoral management in the region; discuss and share lessons and best practices related to gender-sensitive electoral processes and for women and electoral management. The network would be a platform through which to engage stakeholders on how to overcome practical barriers to women's fair participation in Electoral Management Bodies, electoral and political processes.

This was premised on the realisation that women remained disadvantaged in their participation in political processes. Africa and the rest of the world were far from achieving 50% women's representation at all levels of governance.

It was believed that the great lakes region could not attain sustainable development, and consolidate democracy and constitutionalism without the meaningful participation of women. At the core of this lay the position of electoral bodies in the management of electoral democracy.

The effective involvement of women in the management of electoral bodies had a significant impact on the credibility and legitimacy of the institution, as well as the electoral processes they superintend over.