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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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State not doing enough to encourage more women to enter politics, human rights watchdog warns

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September 27, 2023

State not doing enough to encourage more women to enter politics, human rights watchdog warns

Progress on improving the representation of women in Irish politics has been “negligible” in the last six years, a new report has said.

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Progress on improving the representation of women in Irish politics has been “negligible” in the last six years, a new report has said.

The unwritten rules of making your way to the top of the brutal world of politics you should know as a woman

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September 27, 2023

The unwritten rules of making your way to the top of the brutal world of politics you should know as a woman

In a screeching career gear-change worthy of Matt Hancock, I have hung up my political-adviser boots and become an author.

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In a screeching career gear-change worthy of Matt Hancock, I have hung up my political-adviser boots and become an author.

Online abuse could drive women out of political life – the time to act is now

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September 27, 2023

Online abuse could drive women out of political life – the time to act is now

It is becoming increasingly evident that life in modern politics is presenting women with a stark choice – endure almost constant online threats and abuse or get out of public life.

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It is becoming increasingly evident that life in modern politics is presenting women with a stark choice – endure almost constant online threats and abuse or get out of public life.

September 21, 2023
African women parliamentarians learn from UNESCO’s “The Chilling” project to combat online attacks

On 18 September 2023, in Tanzania, around 30 women parliamentarians from Africa convened for a high-level dialogue.

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Japan: out-of-touch LDP needs to promote more women to political posts

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September 21, 2023

Japan: out-of-touch LDP needs to promote more women to political posts

The sight of two dozen or so men, all in cutaway coats, standing side by side on the stairs of the prime minister's office seemed bizarre.

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The sight of two dozen or so men, all in cutaway coats, standing side by side on the stairs of the prime minister's office seemed bizarre.

Violence against female politicians

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September 21, 2023

Violence against female politicians

Women’s political participation remains low, with women occupying only a quarter of parliamentary seats around the world.

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Women’s political participation remains low, with women occupying only a quarter of parliamentary seats around the world.

‘Women politicians will get more say in policy making’

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September 20, 2023

‘Women politicians will get more say in policy making’

Welcoming the introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill which is aimed at providing 33% reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies, many women politicians from across South Goa said that voice of women will become more vocal as

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Welcoming the introduction of the Women’s Reservation Bill which is aimed at providing 33% reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies, many women politicians from across South Goa said that voice of women will become more vocal as

September 20, 2023
Egypt hosts dialogue to boost women’s political participation

Egypt is hosting a regional dialogue to boost women's political participation in the Arab world, bringing delegations from 11 Arab countries.

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