Some Countries Have All the Luck - Part the Second

Common Dreams reports that:

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf will address a joint session of the U.S. Congress today. This historic honor, bestowed sparingly on international dignitaries, is a fitting tribute for Africa's first democratically elected female president. But Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is not an anomaly.

The African political landscape is being reshaped by women, generating hope for the future of the continent and raising the bar for democracy worldwide.

Few Americans would guess that the country that leads the world in political gender balance is Rwanda, where women make up half of the members of parliament, a development that started in the mid-1990s. South Africa and Mozambique, also high on the list, are both countries with women composing more than 30 percent of their parliaments. This stands in stark contrast to the United States, where women make up only 15 percent of Congress

Goddess, it's embarassing to be living in a backwards country like the US. The entire article is well-worth a read. (Thanks to Prior Aelred for sending me the article!)

PS Here's a link to the text of President Johnson-Sirleaf's address. Oh, and Cheney and Hastert? Those looks on your faces? Bite me!