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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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ParlTools: A new platform by ParlAmericas and UN Women dedicated to parliamentarians

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January 31, 2018

ParlTools: A new platform by ParlAmericas and UN Women dedicated to parliamentarians

Caribbean countries face complex development challenges shaped by socio-political, economic and environmental factors.

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Caribbean countries face complex development challenges shaped by socio-political, economic and environmental factors.

Multi-party Caucuses for Gender Equality: A Handbook for Parliamentarians in Latin America and the Caribbean

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January 24, 2018

Multi-party Caucuses for Gender Equality: A Handbook for Parliamentarians in Latin America and the Caribbean

Parliamentary gender caucuses bring together legislators committed to advancing women’s rights and gender equality to coordinate their efforts and accelerate progress.

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Parliamentary gender caucuses bring together legislators committed to advancing women’s rights and gender equality to coordinate their efforts and accelerate progress.

Women slowly changing the face of French politics

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January 23, 2018

Women slowly changing the face of French politics

The current French parliament has the most women it has ever had: 224 women were elected in June, out of 577 seats. This is mostly due to president Emmanuel Macron, who pushed for more women to run for office.

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The current French parliament has the most women it has ever had: 224 women were elected in June, out of 577 seats. This is mostly due to president Emmanuel Macron, who pushed for more women to run for office.

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized women's successes in overcoming political exclusion

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January 9, 2018

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized women's successes in overcoming political exclusion

Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized Women’s Successes in Overcoming Political Exclusion identifies critical factors preventing marginalized women’s inclusion in customary and democratic decision-making structures and describes how women have worked in overcoming barri

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Journeys from Exclusion to Inclusion: Marginalized Women’s Successes in Overcoming Political Exclusion identifies critical factors preventing marginalized women’s inclusion in customary and democratic decision-making structures and describes how women have worked in overcoming barri

January 8, 2018
MPs say plans to tackle Westminster sex assault claims ‘too vague’

Campaigners warn it could be months before proposals are finalised, which could leave party whips with too much power.

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January 2, 2018
Push for more women MPs stymied in Malawi

BLANTYRE, MALAWI — In Malawi, the push for more women members of parliament was dealt a blow when the government said it would not consider a proposal to create 28 automatic seats for women.

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January 2, 2018
Sexist media scrutiny of women in politics spans decades, study says

'Women are discouraged from seeking leadership roles because of that kind of attention'

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Colorado has a history of women in politics — and a harassment problem

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January 2, 2018

Colorado has a history of women in politics — and a harassment problem

Nearly 40 percent of Colorado lawmakers are women, and the state has a history of women in powerful jobs. Reporter Bente Birkeland of the radio station KUNC asked about sexual harassment in the Colorado statehouse — and found a problem.

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Nearly 40 percent of Colorado lawmakers are women, and the state has a history of women in powerful jobs. Reporter Bente Birkeland of the radio station KUNC asked about sexual harassment in the Colorado statehouse — and found a problem.

Video: iKNOW Politics Website Re-launch and Panel on Violence Against Women in Politics

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December 1, 2017

Video: iKNOW Politics Website Re-launch and Panel on Violence Against Women in Politics

To mark the iknowpolitics.org website re-launch, the iKNOW Politics partners gathered for a panel discussion on ending Violence Against Women in Politics during the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

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To mark the iknowpolitics.org website re-launch, the iKNOW Politics partners gathered for a panel discussion on ending Violence Against Women in Politics during the 16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence.

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