Parliaments & Representatives

Globally, an estimated one in five women have a disability. While there are no concrete statistics on the proportion of women in political leadership positions, an analysis of many parliaments and local authorities does not indicate their proportionate representation in leadership positions.

Introduction

In the lead-up to the 2025 High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls took center stage as a critical priority. The review of SDG 5 provided a timely opportunity to accelerate efforts to address deeply entrenched structural inequalities and to highlight the urgency of ensuring inclusive leadership worldwide.

With particular attention to target 5.5, which calls for women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making, the webinars underscored both progress and persistent gaps. 

Despite notable advances, women remained underrepresented in political leadership, executive positions, and decision-making bodies globally. Discussions emphasized that achieving gender parity required integrated, evidence-based policies to dismantle legal, institutional, and cultural barriers, supported by governance and accountability mechanisms that move commitments from symbolic gestures to structural realities.

To engage diverse audiences and broaden perspectives, a series of three webinars were organized. One in Arabic, one in English and one in Spanish. Each session explored the following key questions:

• What is the High-Level Political Forum, and what was on the agenda for 2025?

• How might the outcomes impact the future of the global gender equality agenda?

• What are the trends in SDG 5, particularly with reference to target 5.5 on leadership and decision-making?

• What lessons have been learned since the adoption of the SDGs?

• How can more diverse voices be brought into global forums?

• How can reporting on indicators be improved at the national level?

• How can policy reflect a holistic and grounded approach to addressing the SDG 5 agenda?

The webinar in English was held on 11/07/2025

Full report.

Full video.

In Japan, women have long been severely underrepresented at the highest levels of business, government and society, the product of a culture that expects them to bear a disproportionate share of child care and housework.

But on Tuesday, the country is poised for a milestone: Sanae Takaichi, a hard-line conservative lawmaker who idolizes Margaret Thatcher, is expected to be named Japan’s next prime minister during an extraordinary session of Parliament. She would be the first woman to serve in that role and the first woman at the top of Japanese government in centuries.

Ms. Takaichi, 64, is a divisive figure in Japan, and her breaking of the glass ceiling has drawn a range of reactions. Her supporters have hailed her as a pioneer who knows firsthand the challenges of Japan’s male-dominated culture. Activists and scholars have expressed concern that she will continue to support policies that have held Japanese women back. Political rivals have accused her of serving as a puppet to men in her party; one male lawmaker recently described her as a bride who had married into a powerful political faction.

Full article here.

Feminist scholars and advocates have long asserted that women’s rights and gender equality are fundamental prerequisites for democratic governance. The close correlation between women’s rights and democracy is becoming increasingly evident, as the erosion of women’s rights often signals early and unmistakable signs of democratic backsliding and the rise of authoritarianism worldwide (Allam 2019; Arat 2022; Chenoweth and Marks 2022). A gendered analysis of state institutions, policymaking, and elections provides crucial insights into the historical fluctuations in women’s rights and, by extension, the overall quality of democracy (Tajali 2022).

An overview of sexist repression in Iran highlights the depth of autocratic entrenchment, as evidenced by increasing gender-based repression and violence. These assaults on women’s fundamental rights are not new but are deeply rooted in the ideologies of Islamic fundamentalism, which have institutionalized patriarchal dominance and systemic gender discrimination (Hoodfar and Sadr 2010; Paidar 1995; Tajali 2024b). This analysis also exposes the contentious relationship between authoritarian elites and feminist advocates, who refuse to remain passive in the face of such attacks.

Feminist movements resisting systemic gender discrimination pose a significant threat to the Iranian regime, resulting in violent crackdowns on women’s rights advocates. A recent example is the regime’s harsh response to the nonviolent “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, triggered by the killing of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian Mahsa Jina Amini in September 2022 while in police custody for allegedly violating Iran’s conservative hijab laws. To reassert control, the conservative-dominated Iranian parliament passed a controversial Hijab and Chastity bill in September 2023. This bill introduces harsher penalties for improper veiling, utilizing enhanced surveillance and artificial intelligence to identify those who defy mandatory hijab laws.

While the bill awaits approval from the unelected Guardian Council, Iranian authorities launched the “Noor (Light) Operation” in April 2024, enforcing the bill’s provisions through violent crackdowns on improperly veiled women and girls.

Full article here.

In recent years, India has witnessed a significant rise in women’s empowerment, reflected in greater participation in education, politics, entrepreneurship, and social activism. However, this progress has also sparked debates over culture, morality, and autonomy. Incidents like the disruption of the Miss Rishikesh pageant rehearsal in Uttarakhand reveal persistent moral policing and patriarchal control, challenging women’s right to self-expression. Addressing these tensions is essential to promote gender equality, individual freedom, and a society that genuinely respects women’s choices and aspirations.

What are the Key Factors Driving the Growth of Women’s Empowerment in India? 

• Increasing Female Literacy: India's female literacy rate was projected at around 70.3% in 2025, showing a steady upward trend thanks to government schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao.  

  • Female youth literacy is even higher at 96% for ages 15-24, reflecting growing educational access.  

  • However, rural-urban and state-wise disparities persist, with states like Kerala and Mizoram having close to universal female literacy, while Bihar and Rajasthan lag behind considerably. 

• Rising Workforce Participation: Female labour force participation rate has shown encouraging growth, reaching 41.7% in 2023-24, up from under 30% a decade ago. 

  • Women's participation is increasing, particularly in the formal sectors, the gig economy, and skilled jobs such as IT and healthcare.  

  • Self-employment among women rose from 51.9% in 2017 to 67.4% in 2024, indicating growing economic independence and entrepreneurship opportunities. 

• Entrepreneurship and Economic Independence: Women-led Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have nearly doubled over the last decade to about 1.92 crore enterprises in 2023-24.  

  • The share of women-owned proprietary establishments in India has risen significantly from 17.4% in 2010–11 to 26.2% in 2023–24, reflecting growing female entrepreneurship and economic participation, driven by initiatives like PM Mudra Yojana, Stand-Up India, and Mahila E-Haat. 

• Political Representation: As of 2025, women constitute approximately 13.6% of the Lok Sabha, with 74 women elected to the 18th Lok Sabha, reflecting a slight dip from 14.4% in the 17th Lok Sabha (78 women).  

  • Despite this, women’s representation in local governance remains robust, with nearly 46% of elected representatives at the Panchayati Raj Institutions being women, supported by several state-level provisions for up to 50% reservation.  

  • The landmark Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (2023) mandates a 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies, currently awaiting implementation post-delimitation. 

    • Increasingly, women politicians are influencing policies on gender equality and social welfare. 

Full article.

The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has emphasized the importance of inclusive political participation, calling for increased women’s representation in nation-building efforts.

‎Sen. Tinubu made the call during the 774 Explode Programme; an empowerment initiative organized by the Office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Women Leader, themed, “Enhancing Gender Space in Politics”, which took place at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub in Benin City.

‎Represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, Sen. Tinubu celebrated women’s invaluable contributions in nation building and growth. She noted Nigeria’s low representation of women in elected positions and called for change. She further emphasized women’s success in various sectors and advocated for economic empowerment, political participation and reserved seats for women with the goal of creating more opportunities for them to address social challenges and build a stronger society.

‎The APC National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile highlighted the stigma and cultural barriers that have discouraged women from participating in politics in Nigeria to include the notion that politics is a “Dirty game” and that women should focus on domestic roles. She noted that the current generation of women is more determined and educated, and deserves a chance to contribute to decision-making.

Full article here.