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.
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is increasingly being identified as a barrier to women’s participation in Fiji’s political stage.
Minister for Women Sashi Kiran says digital platforms that should support democratic participation are instead being used to intimidate women.
Many women are holding back from entering politics due to fears for their safety and the safety of their families and children, despite growing calls for greater female representation in Parliament.
Bangladesh has dropped 55 places in the global index measuring gender inequality in one year. The country ranked 24th in 2025, but this year it stands 79th among 145 countries.
Bangladesh’s position in The Global Gender Gap Report 2026 should evoke serious reflection among policymakers on the state of gender gaps in the country.
African legislatures have been urged to use their legislative and political powers to enact and enforce laws that will dismantle entrenched barriers to women’s participation in politics.
Australia has ranked 8th in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Global Gender Gap Report, breaking into to the top ten and achieving its highest ever ranking for gender equality, out of 148 countries.
MOGADISHU — The Minister of Family and Human Rights Development, Ambassador Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, and the Chairman of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), Abdikarim Ahmed, have agreed to strengthen cooperation between their institutions an
The National Women’s Survey 2025/2026, published by Suluh Centre, found that 62.7% of respondents considered women underrepresented in the country’s legislatures, while only 17.1% believed current representation was adequate.
THE recent election results in Bangladesh show that, while women are at the forefront, their presence is not translating into power. This is not a gender issue; it is a democracy issue.