Women’s political participation has long been a top priority on the agenda of Women’s Movements. But the mainstream discourse on political participation and gender equality all too often focuses on getting women’s bodies into political offices. It is anticipated that the formal participation in state institutions will automatically lead to substantive representation of interests. But this rather technical view on political participation misses, that political demands must be constructed collectively. This article provides a comprehensive view on women’s political participation beyond formal representation, takes a critical look at how formal representation can affect gender equality outcomes, and discusses the obstacles for a substantive representation of women and feminist agendas in the political arena. It draws on the African Feminist Reflection and Action Group`s discussions and highlights prerequisites for feminist organising and redefinition of how inclusive democratic spaces can be created.