Whatever the other shortcomings of representative democracy, one issue that clearly remains largely unresolved is the participation and policy impact of women. This comparative study examines two African countries, South Africa and Uganda, both of which have attained greater women's political participation than most African - or indeed Western - democracies. How did women in these countries achieve some 30 per cent representation in both national and local political institutions? How far did women's mobilization in civil society play a part? How sustainable are the gains? And what is the impact of women politicians on policy?