Congo

Senate

Political system: Presidential-Parliamentary
Structure of parliament: Bicameral
IPU membership: Yes

Historical data on women

Data on women’s right to vote and to stand for election, the date at which the first woman entered parliament, and female Heads of State or Government

Women's suffrage

Date of independence: 1960
Year of first woman in parliament: 1963

Notes: 1963: Not clear how many got elected and appointed
Year of first woman speaker: Not applicable

Notes: No woman has occupied the function of Speaker in the country.

Women’s right to vote

Women’s right to vote: 1960
National or local: National
Restricted or universal suffrage: Restricted
Detail of restrictions: Universal suffrage was granted for Europeans and literate Africans only. In 1951 the right to vote was extended to all those with a credible titre d'identité

Women’s right to vote: 1961
National or local: National
Restricted or universal suffrage: Universal

Notes: Prior to independence, under French administration, Congolese women acquired the right to vote under the 29 August 1947 law (N° 47-1629) on territorial assemblies. This electoral system was renewed in 1952 and eventually replaced in 1957 when the framework law (Loi-cadre Deferre) of 1956 was entered into force. According to the CEDAW report, article 4 of the 2 March 1961 Constitution recognized the aforementioned rights.

Women’s right to stand for election

Women's right to stand for election: 1963
National or local: National
Restricted or universal: No information available

Notes: The right for women to stand for election was recognized by the Constitution adopted on 8 December 1963.