International Women's Day 2012 & Our 5th Anniversary

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iKNOW Politics turns 5 this year and we mark the 101^st International Women's Day. We continue in our mission to support women's political participation with our five partners, International IDEA, Inter Parliamentary Union, National Democratic Institute, UNDP and UN Women.

Over the last five years we have been supported by our generous donors, the Belgium Ministry of Development Cooperation; Irish Aid; the Government of Norway; the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency; the Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality, Governement of Spain; United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF); the National Endowment for Democracy and Glamour magazine. We thank them for their continued support.

The recent launch of 2012 Women in Politics study by IPU and UN Women on 2 March 2012 at the 56th Commission on the Status of Women in New York City reveals the current status of women in leadership positions. New research shows progress in the number of countries with women as head of government, head of state or both. Today the number stands at 18 out of 193 countries.

• The percentage of women ministers has also increased, though modestly, from 14.2% in 2005 to 16.7% in 2012
• The global average of female parliamentary representation stood at 19.5% in 2011, going up only slightly from 19% in 2010.

Attaining 30 percent of women in parliament is a target in the Beijing Platform for Action from the Fourth World Conference on Women. We know that temporary special measures, such as quotas, accelerate women’s participation in politics. Out of the 59 countries holding elections in 2011, 17 of them had legislated quotas. Women gained 27 percent of parliamentary seats in these countries compared to 16 percent in countries without quotas.

iKNOW Politics continues to be a pivotal knowledge network that not only provides access to over 5000 resources, but connects women leaders around the world and highlights the positive stories of women leading the changing nature of politics.

This International Women's Day we renew our mission to give voices to women's political journey's while enabling them access to information and resources that builds their capacities to not only reach the "crucial" mass needed in politics but also become effective leaders pushing the agenda for women's rights.

We have had the opportunity to become part of women politician's lives through these 5 years and are proud to share some of the stories with you on our 5th anniversary!

Want to wish us, leave a comment! We want to hear from you!

“iKNOW Politics is a good initiative; I have been a member since 2008. In "chatting" on the Internet I was able to exchange views with Madeleine Albright. Women both learn from and understand the experience of other women. Women in the DRC have a thirst for learning, to develop their countries.” 

Marguerite Lusamba

Other IWD messages:

In a special-edition podcast Stephenie Foster, IFES gender consultant, tells us about the efforts to increase gender equality around the world and the most effective methods to improve women’s participation in government.

In a special op-ed Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu, Senior Programme Manager for International IDEA’s Democracy and Gender programme, talks about "Why must we insist on democracy delivering on women’s empowerment?"