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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.

World News

Women in politics suffer brunt of GBV

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Women in politics suffer brunt of GBV

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As the world marks the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the resilient voices of women in Mt Elgon and Trans Nzoia have exposed the harsh realities they encounter within the challenging realm of politics.

Jane Chebet, a two-term Cheptais ward representative who vied for the Mt Elgon MP seat and lost, passionately expresses the uphill battle women face in achieving the two-thirds gender rule, attributing it to entrenched male chauvinism.

As the world marks the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the resilient voices of women in Mt Elgon and Trans Nzoia have exposed the harsh realities they encounter within the challenging realm of politics.

Jane Chebet, a two-term Cheptais ward representative who vied for the Mt Elgon MP seat and lost, passionately expresses the uphill battle women face in achieving the two-thirds gender rule, attributing it to entrenched male chauvinism.

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Zimbabwe: Female MPs lobby for sexual harassment law

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Zimbabwe: Female MPs lobby for sexual harassment law

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FEMALE lawmakers are pushing for the tabling of a Sexual Harassment Bill  to protect women in politics against persecution by their male counterparts.

The calls were made during a recent sensitisation workshop for women leaders by the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence.

The women leaders had the opportunity to air out the challenges they encounter while discharging their political duties in their various constituencies.

FEMALE lawmakers are pushing for the tabling of a Sexual Harassment Bill  to protect women in politics against persecution by their male counterparts.

The calls were made during a recent sensitisation workshop for women leaders by the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence.

The women leaders had the opportunity to air out the challenges they encounter while discharging their political duties in their various constituencies.

World News

Bathily emphasizes the importance of political participation for Libyan women

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Bathily emphasizes the importance of political participation for Libyan women

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The UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, met with a delegation from the “High National Council for Libyan Women,” as part of the consultations he is conducting with a number of components of Libyan society, in addition to what he described as his quest to bridge the gap between political rivals in order to reach a political solution.

The UN envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, met with a delegation from the “High National Council for Libyan Women,” as part of the consultations he is conducting with a number of components of Libyan society, in addition to what he described as his quest to bridge the gap between political rivals in order to reach a political solution.

World News

World News

Turkish women mark 89 years of full political rights, to vote, hold office

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Turkish women mark 89 years of full political rights, to vote, hold office

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One of the first few countries to introduce suffrage for women and their election to office, Türkiye marks the 89th anniversary of the constitutional amendment, with more women in political offices though they are still outnumbered by men.

Nakiye Elgün’s message was simple: “We are a whole.” One of the first female lawmakers of the Turkish Parliament, Elgün noted in her speech in 1935 that men and women worked together in many fields but they were “honored” to be part of Parliament.

One of the first few countries to introduce suffrage for women and their election to office, Türkiye marks the 89th anniversary of the constitutional amendment, with more women in political offices though they are still outnumbered by men.

Nakiye Elgün’s message was simple: “We are a whole.” One of the first female lawmakers of the Turkish Parliament, Elgün noted in her speech in 1935 that men and women worked together in many fields but they were “honored” to be part of Parliament.

World News

Green Chambers’ Quest for Women Emancipation

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Green Chambers’ Quest for Women Emancipation

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Udora Orizu chronicles the noteworthy strides being made by the 10th House of Representatives towards improving women’s political representation and end gender based violence in the country.

The 10th House of Representatives, is rekindling hopes of Nigerian women following assurances of legislative reforms to improve women’s political representation, one of which is to revisit the five gender bills rejected during the alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in  March, 2022.

Udora Orizu chronicles the noteworthy strides being made by the 10th House of Representatives towards improving women’s political representation and end gender based violence in the country.

The 10th House of Representatives, is rekindling hopes of Nigerian women following assurances of legislative reforms to improve women’s political representation, one of which is to revisit the five gender bills rejected during the alteration of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in  March, 2022.

Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist

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December 1, 2023

Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for women to be recognised for their roles

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for women to be recognised for their roles

World News

Politically motivated violence against women in Zim on the rise, says Human Rights NGO Forum

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Politically motivated violence against women in Zim on the rise, says Human Rights NGO Forum

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There is increase in politically motivated violence against women in Zimbabwe, manifesting as rape and sexual assault, direct violence and hate speech, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (The Forum) has said.

There is increase in politically motivated violence against women in Zimbabwe, manifesting as rape and sexual assault, direct violence and hate speech, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum (The Forum) has said.

Women grab back: exclusion, policy threat, and women’s political ambition

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November 30, 2023

Women grab back: exclusion, policy threat, and women’s political ambition

Previous work suggests that observing women officeholders increases women’s political ambition.

Previous work suggests that observing women officeholders increases women’s political ambition.