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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.

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

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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.

World News

Reality check: How diverse is Korea really? Women in politics

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Reality check: How diverse is Korea really? Women in politics

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Half of Korea's population are women, yet in the realm of politics, women are a minority group.

In the current 21st session of parliament, the representation of female lawmakers stands at 57 out of the total 300 members -- only 19.1 percent. This percentage places South Korea significantly below average in terms of gender diversity in politics compared to other nations.

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Half of Korea's population are women, yet in the realm of politics, women are a minority group.

In the current 21st session of parliament, the representation of female lawmakers stands at 57 out of the total 300 members -- only 19.1 percent. This percentage places South Korea significantly below average in terms of gender diversity in politics compared to other nations.

World News

‘Dream team’: How all the EU’s top jobs could be held by women

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‘Dream team’: How all the EU’s top jobs could be held by women

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There’s a scenario in which the presidents of the EU’s main institutions could all be women.

After the EU election in June, the top jobs at the European Council, the Commission and the Parliament — plus the head of the European External Action Service — will be distributed among the main political groups.

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There’s a scenario in which the presidents of the EU’s main institutions could all be women.

After the EU election in June, the top jobs at the European Council, the Commission and the Parliament — plus the head of the European External Action Service — will be distributed among the main political groups.

World News

Men set to still dominate leadership this record-breaking election year but some firsts ahead for women

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Men set to still dominate leadership this record-breaking election year but some firsts ahead for women

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In 2024, 1.5 billion people are expected to vote in national elections in what will be a record year for democracy, with elections happening in at least 64 countries and the European Union. 

So what will that mean for women in leadership at a time when men still overwhelmingly dominate on the world stage?

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In 2024, 1.5 billion people are expected to vote in national elections in what will be a record year for democracy, with elections happening in at least 64 countries and the European Union. 

So what will that mean for women in leadership at a time when men still overwhelmingly dominate on the world stage?

World News

Women and politics in the disinformation era

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Women and politics in the disinformation era

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In November 2023, an online video showed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Medina, Saudi Arabia, being greeted with slogans of "Bhua, bhua." The original footage of the prime minister's Medina visit had no such sounds in the background, and the audio was found to have been added from a different, unrelated incident.

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In November 2023, an online video showed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Medina, Saudi Arabia, being greeted with slogans of "Bhua, bhua." The original footage of the prime minister's Medina visit had no such sounds in the background, and the audio was found to have been added from a different, unrelated incident.

Study on violence against women in politics in Türkiye is published

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January 17, 2024

Study on violence against women in politics in Türkiye is published

A Qualitative Study on Violence against Women in Politics in Türkiye, prepared in cooperation with UN Women and Terra Development Cooperative, was introduced at an event organized in Ankara.

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A Qualitative Study on Violence against Women in Politics in Türkiye, prepared in cooperation with UN Women and Terra Development Cooperative, was introduced at an event organized in Ankara.

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