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Parliaments & Representatives

Women make up only 23.5% of Members of Parliament according to the latest available data of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. While significant strides in women’s political participation have been made since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995, which set Member States’ target of achieving gender balance in political decision-making, women are still underrepresented in political decision-making at all levels and gender balance remains an aspirational goal.  Gains in women’s participation have been notable in countries that have taken proactive steps to support women’s political participation, including reforming or amending discriminatory laws, taking concrete action to address violence against women in politics and gender discrimination within parliaments, addressing gender-specific barriers, and supporting women in all forms of decision-making including at local level and in executive government.

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What political violence does to citizens

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March 2, 2026

What political violence does to citizens

Violence against politicians is a part of politics, but experimental studies find that its effect on citizens is muted.

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Violence against politicians is a part of politics, but experimental studies find that its effect on citizens is muted.

March 2, 2026
Ghana’s 2027 Elections: Rising Violence Against Women in Politics Exposed

As Ghana prepares for its 2027 local elections, new research presented in Accra highlights that violence against women in politics remains a significant barrier to democratic participation at the local level.

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https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/76252
March 2, 2026
Women Still Struggle For Political Parity

"Woman is the builder and moulder of the nation's destiny. Though delicate and soft as a lily, she has a heart far stronger and bolder than that of a man.

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https://www.eunews.it/en/2026/02/27/women-and-politics-despite-progress-in-eu-top-roles-representation-is-falling-and-national-gaps-remain-parliaments-study-shows/
March 2, 2026
Women and politics, the EU paradox: at the top of institutions, but representation is declining

Brussels – Women occupy the top positions in three of the seven main EU institutions for the first time, but the base of female political representation is losing ground.

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https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-887508
February 27, 2026
Israel once ranked 48th for women in politics, now its 104th
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Pornification of politics: How sexualized discourses threaten democracy

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February 27, 2026

Pornification of politics: How sexualized discourses threaten democracy

The sexualization of women in the political sphere has taken on a new and dangerous form that threatens democracy itself, a CSU professor argues.

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The sexualization of women in the political sphere has taken on a new and dangerous form that threatens democracy itself, a CSU professor argues.

https://minorityrights.org/lanka-women/
February 23, 2026
Minority women excluded from Sri Lankan politics

Women from minority ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka continue to be systematically discriminated against and marginalized in mainstream politics, new research shows.

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https://globalvoices.org/2026/01/24/truth-telling-and-treaty-with-first-nations-australian-indigenous-lawyers-commitment-to-real-change-for-her-people/
February 20, 2026
Truth-telling and treaty: Australian Indigenous lawyer’s commitment to real change for First Nations People

Tekan Cochrane is an Australian Indigenous lawyer with Kooma, Yuwaalaraay and Torres Strait Islander heritage, as well as diverse European heritage.

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https://politicalsciencenow.com/what-voters-really-think-about-gender-quotas/
February 20, 2026
What Voters Really Think About Gender Quotas: An APSA Public Scholarship Program Summary

What happens to citizens’ perceptions of political decisions when legislatures achieve gender balance through quotas, policies that require parties to include women as candidates? Critics have long argued that mandating women’s presence casts doubt on elected officials’ qualifica

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