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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.

Creating space for women in public life

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July 5, 2023

Creating space for women in public life

Attending the National Security Symposium 2023 on ‘contemporary security challenges: the African Perspective’, changed my perspective of Rwanda and challenged my assumptions about the country.

Attending the National Security Symposium 2023 on ‘contemporary security challenges: the African Perspective’, changed my perspective of Rwanda and challenged my assumptions about the country.

Women in local politics experience higher rates of online threats compared to men

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July 5, 2023

Women in local politics experience higher rates of online threats compared to men

A study conducted by local academics in San Diego County found that elected officials, especially women, are increasingly becoming targets of intimidation and threats on social media.– Researchers reviewed the Twitter accounts of elected officials da

A study conducted by local academics in San Diego County found that elected officials, especially women, are increasingly becoming targets of intimidation and threats on social media.– Researchers reviewed the Twitter accounts of elected officials da

The gender factor in elections

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July 5, 2023

The gender factor in elections

As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, and political parties gear into electioneering mode, what remains missing from the mainstream discourse is fair representation of women, and their meaningful participation in the electoral process.

As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, and political parties gear into electioneering mode, what remains missing from the mainstream discourse is fair representation of women, and their meaningful participation in the electoral process.

Election stakeholders fret over biased media

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July 4, 2023

Election stakeholders fret over biased media

ELECTION stakeholders have red-flagged biased media coverage against female politicians, saying journalists should promote fair coverage for both genders as the country edges closer to the August 23 general elections.

ELECTION stakeholders have red-flagged biased media coverage against female politicians, saying journalists should promote fair coverage for both genders as the country edges closer to the August 23 general elections.

Nigeria: young women’s experiences as aspirants in the 2023 elections

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July 4, 2023

Nigeria: young women’s experiences as aspirants in the 2023 elections

The 2023 general elections may have come and gone but the intrigues surrounding its conduct remain fresh in the minds of many, especially young women who ventured into the

The 2023 general elections may have come and gone but the intrigues surrounding its conduct remain fresh in the minds of many, especially young women who ventured into the

World News

Transgender woman running to become Venezuela’s next president

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Transgender woman running to become Venezuela’s next president

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Tamara Adrián less than two weeks ago registered as a presidential candidate in the Venezuelan primary, becoming the first openly transgender person in the world to make such a move.

Tamara Adrián less than two weeks ago registered as a presidential candidate in the Venezuelan primary, becoming the first openly transgender person in the world to make such a move.

World News

Australia: multicultural quotas on the cards for Labor

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Australia: multicultural quotas on the cards for Labor

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Labor would be forced to pick culturally diverse and Indigenous candidates under a quota plan that is expected to attract support from across the party at its national conference in August.

Labor would be forced to pick culturally diverse and Indigenous candidates under a quota plan that is expected to attract support from across the party at its national conference in August.

World News

Zimbabwe: lobby group frets over few women politicians

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Zimbabwe: lobby group frets over few women politicians

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WOMEN’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe) has expressed concern over the low number of women candidates fielded for the August general elections.

WOMEN’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe) has expressed concern over the low number of women candidates fielded for the August general elections.

Women’s interest in entering politics surged after Dobbs. So why aren’t they running?

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July 4, 2023

Women’s interest in entering politics surged after Dobbs. So why aren’t they running?

Susanna Gibson remembers where she was and what she was doing on June 24, 2022, the way some remember 9/11 or the Challenger explosion.

Susanna Gibson remembers where she was and what she was doing on June 24, 2022, the way some remember 9/11 or the Challenger explosion.