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.
The Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged Nigerian women to actively participate in politics to shape national discourse and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
The vision of an inclusive democracy, forged on the streets during the July uprising, has collided with a formidable structural wall.
As usual, Congress gathers around this time of year to try to extract some electoral advantage from International Women’s Day. Close to March 8, lawmakers typically hold a joint effort to approve measures aimed at female voters—initiatives that, on their merits, few would oppose.
In Comoros, gender equality and women’s rights are upheld by the Constitution and the 2017 National Policy on Gender Equality and Equity.
HAVANA TIMES – Women’s political participation in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased over the last 25 years, especially in the legislative branch, but this rise has been accompanied by more discrimination and violence, amplified and accelerated by cyberspaces.
From Bolivia to Kyrgyzstan, some countries are proving that, with the right rules and political will, real progress towards gender parity in parliaments is within reach.
Violence against politicians is a part of politics, but experimental studies find that its effect on citizens is muted.
Violence against politicians is a part of politics, but experimental studies find that its effect on citizens is muted.
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.