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Parliaments and Representatives

Democracy and the equal participation of men and women in the political arena are closely intertwined. No parliament or any decision-making body can claim to be representative without the participation of both men and women. As stated in the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Member Parliaments in 1997, "The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."

Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of women in parliament, though the world average of less than 22 percent remains far from the goal of parity between women and men. The election of women to the highest positions of state and government in several countries has also contributed to the changing face of politics.

While the road to election is a difficult one, the challenges for women do not stop there. Once women enter parliament or other bodies, they are faced with many new challenges. Parliament is traditionally a male-oriented domain where the rules and practices have been written by men. It is, therefore, an ongoing challenge to transform parliament into a gender-sensitive environment, to ensure that actions are gender-sensitive and to guarantee that gender is mainstreamed throughout the legislature.

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What’s the secret to attracting more women into politics? Give them more resources

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February 9, 2024

What’s the secret to attracting more women into politics? Give them more resources

With Victorian council elections to be held in October, the state government’s target of reaching 50-50 gender representation at the local level is under threat.

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With Victorian council elections to be held in October, the state government’s target of reaching 50-50 gender representation at the local level is under threat.

World News

Advancing gender equality in politics ahead of Georgian elections

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Advancing gender equality in politics ahead of Georgian elections

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Over 150 women local councillors from across Georgia gathered for their annual conference to discuss the increasing role of women in politics and decision-making, especially in the lead-up to elections.

Supported by UNDP and Sweden in partnership with the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia, the Women Councillors’ Political Forum brought together representatives from the Government, Parliament, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, and international agencies.

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Source: UNDP

Over 150 women local councillors from across Georgia gathered for their annual conference to discuss the increasing role of women in politics and decision-making, especially in the lead-up to elections.

Supported by UNDP and Sweden in partnership with the Gender Equality Council of the Parliament of Georgia, the Women Councillors’ Political Forum brought together representatives from the Government, Parliament, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, and international agencies.

World News

The struggle for women’s representation in Indonesian politics: an uphill battle

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The struggle for women’s representation in Indonesian politics: an uphill battle

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A Step Forward but Not Enough

In the 2019 general election, Indonesians elected more women into the national parliament than ever before, with women’s representation rising to 20.9%. This increase was attributed to the implementation of a 30% candidate quota for women, which compelled political parties to nominate more women candidates. However, this quota did not lead to equal representation, as more than 20% of electoral districts did not elect any women to parliament.

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Source: Medriva

A Step Forward but Not Enough

In the 2019 general election, Indonesians elected more women into the national parliament than ever before, with women’s representation rising to 20.9%. This increase was attributed to the implementation of a 30% candidate quota for women, which compelled political parties to nominate more women candidates. However, this quota did not lead to equal representation, as more than 20% of electoral districts did not elect any women to parliament.

World News

Australia’s political leaders join UN Women Australia to ‘Count Her In’ this International Women’s Day

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Australia’s political leaders join UN Women Australia to ‘Count Her In’ this International Women’s Day

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Australian government, political and defence force leaders came together at Parliament House this morning to officially launch the Australian celebrations of International Women’s Day – ahead of the UN Global Day of Observance on 8 March.

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Source: The National Tribune

Australian government, political and defence force leaders came together at Parliament House this morning to officially launch the Australian celebrations of International Women’s Day – ahead of the UN Global Day of Observance on 8 March.

It’s 2024 and female politicians are still having to put up with sexist nonsense about their looks

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February 1, 2024

It’s 2024 and female politicians are still having to put up with sexist nonsense about their looks

You might be mistaken for thinking you’d stepped into the Tardis and been transported back in time 20 years upon se

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You might be mistaken for thinking you’d stepped into the Tardis and been transported back in time 20 years upon se

World News

Breaking the glass ceiling for women in politics

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Breaking the glass ceiling for women in politics

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Women in Sri Lanka face serious barriers to political representation and the country ranks among the lowest in the world for the percentage of women in national legislatures. After the parliamentary elections in 2020, there were just over five percent of elected women representatives in parliament.

Underrepresentation of women occurs at each level of elected leaders at national, provincial and local government level due to a variety of systemic and institutional obstacles.

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Source: Ground Views

Women in Sri Lanka face serious barriers to political representation and the country ranks among the lowest in the world for the percentage of women in national legislatures. After the parliamentary elections in 2020, there were just over five percent of elected women representatives in parliament.

Underrepresentation of women occurs at each level of elected leaders at national, provincial and local government level due to a variety of systemic and institutional obstacles.

World News

Tanzania: women MPs raise voices for more female candidates in upcoming elections

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Tanzania: women MPs raise voices for more female candidates in upcoming elections

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Dodoma. Tanzania's political landscape is poised for a transformative shift as female parliamentarians unite under the banner of the "Women in Politics Parliamentary Group."

This empowered group is determined to push for significant changes in the upcoming electoral laws, particularly increasing the number of female candidates in elections.

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Dodoma. Tanzania's political landscape is poised for a transformative shift as female parliamentarians unite under the banner of the "Women in Politics Parliamentary Group."

This empowered group is determined to push for significant changes in the upcoming electoral laws, particularly increasing the number of female candidates in elections.

The dramatic exodus of brown women from parliament is no surprise

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January 22, 2024

The dramatic exodus of brown women from parliament is no surprise

There are some jobs that only particular people can do, or at least do well. It takes a certain patience and temperament to be a good teacher. You can’t be a surgeon with nervous jitters.

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There are some jobs that only particular people can do, or at least do well. It takes a certain patience and temperament to be a good teacher. You can’t be a surgeon with nervous jitters.

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