Women's Leadership
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In the ever-evolving world of politics, gender representation has become a pivotal conversation. From the United States to Kosovo, the struggle for women’s participation in politics, sports, entertainment, and judicial offices remains a global challenge. However, amidst these obstacles, progress is being made.
The Struggles of Women in Politics
The road to politics is often challenging for women, more so for mothers. Their participation in critical political processes such as Iowa caucuses is hampered by systemic barriers, making it hard for them to maintain a work-life balance. These barriers, however, aren’t insurmountable. With structural solutions like vote-by-mail and telecommuting, there’s potential to modernize outdated political systems, enabling women to participate more effectively.
Click here to read the full article published by BNN Breaking News on 19 January 2024.
Image source: BNN Breaking News
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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.
Speculating on who will get those jobs is a leading pastime in the Brussels bubble (as well as here at POLITICO); so many female politicians are being linked with those roles that some diplomats are starting to connect them.
POLITICO is hearing a lot of talk about four names — all women — in connection with the jobs: Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen staying on as Commission chief; Malta’s Roberta Metsola remaining in post at the Parliament; Mette Frederiksen, the current prime minister of Denmark, becoming president of the European Council; and Kaja Kallas, the Estonian PM, taking over as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the EU’s foreign policy chief, for short).
Click here to read the full article published by Politico on 18 January 2024.
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Promoting inclusivity in all aspects of governance is very necessary to spur economic growth and reduce marginalisation. However, making this a reality despite many efforts by various CSOs, women-led organisations and advocates for PWDs in the country seems difficult. The trend, if not properly addressed, could lead to democratic deficit.
Research has proven that different groups contribute significantly to making better decisions, therefore there is the need to as a matter of urgency ensure all persons, irrespective of their gender and physical appearances, receive the necessary support needed to pursue their ambitions of getting involved in local governance.
Click here to read the full article published by the Ghanaian Times on 16 January 2024.
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DAR ES SALAAM: THE United Nations (UN) yesterday said that Tanzania has made significant progress in the advancement of women’s leadership and political participation, saying there should be a legal framework to protect women in the future to attain 50/50 thresholds in leadership.
UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Zlatan Milišić made the statement during the UN Women and Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF) meeting held in Dar es Salaam.
The meeting coordinated by UN women intended to provide findings and recommendations of the gender analysis of Election and Political Party Bills of 2023 to editors.
The Bills were tabled in Parliament on November10 last year.
“There is no doubt that Tanzania has made significant progress in the advancement of women’s leadership and political participation.
Click here to read the full article published by the Daily News Tanzania on 14 January 2024.
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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?
Less than a third of United Nations member states have ever had a woman at the helm. Just 15 countries currently have a woman as Head of State, and 16 have a woman as Head of Government, according to UN Women.
Just over a quarter (26.5 per cent) of parliamentarians in single or lower houses were women in 2023. While that is up 11 per cent in 1995, the pace of change is far from enough to see women get equal representation in legislative decision-making within our lifetimes.
Click here to read the full article published by Women’s Agenda on 15 January 2024.
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More African women are joining and rising up the ranks of the world’s 100 most powerful women, according to Forbes, as they grow their influence in shaping the policies, products and political fights defining the globe.
World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the former Minister of Finance in Nigeria, has moved the highest on the continent by four places from position 91 in 2022 to 87 in this year’s Forbes "World's 100 Most Powerful Women" rankings.
Okonjo-Iweala, the first African woman to lead the WTO, made it to the list for the seventh time in 2023 since her debut in 2011.
Click here to read the full article published by The Star on 8 January 2024.
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