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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A country with 61 per cent women Parliamentarians: the tragedy that led to Rwanda scoring so high

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September 20, 2023

A country with 61 per cent women Parliamentarians: the tragedy that led to Rwanda scoring so high

The current Lok Sabha (2019-2024) has the highest-ever representation of women Members of Parliament at any point in India, with 78 MPs in the 545-member House (around 14 per cent).

Disinformation and online political violence against women in Brazil

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September 20, 2023

Disinformation and online political violence against women in Brazil

The rise of the information society, predominantly sculpted by modern technologies, has blurred the lines between our online and offline lives.

Latin American democracy, as told by five powerful women

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September 18, 2023

Latin American democracy, as told by five powerful women

This Friday is the International Day of Democracy.

September 18, 2023

New Zealand may get first female finance minister in 30 years

In practice debates before previous New Zealand elections, Nicola Willis used to play the role of formidable female politicians.

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Zimbabwe's women decry political underrepresentation

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September 18, 2023

Zimbabwe's women decry political underrepresentation

Women comprise 54% of Zimbabwe's population, but one can hardly tell from the country's new cabinet.

Open house: where next for gender equality in parliament?

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September 18, 2023

Open house: where next for gender equality in parliament?

Open House: Where Next for Gender Equality in Parliament is the first ever audit of a decade’s worth of reports into gender equality in the UK Parliament.

Time has come for Women's Reservation Bill

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September 18, 2023

Time has come for Women's Reservation Bill

Only 15 of the 389 members of the Constituent Assembly, which framed the Constitution, were women.

"We too anticipate women’s quota Bill… PM has done a lot to uplift women… but a Bill is required": BJP Mahila Morcha chief

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September 15, 2023

"We too anticipate women’s quota Bill… PM has done a lot to uplift women… but a Bill is required": BJP Mahila Morcha chief

BJP Mahila Morcha president Vanathi Srinivasan is confident Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fulfil the BJP’s promise of a legislation to reserve seats for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, and says he always urges state units to ensur

Uplifting women’s role in Politics

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September 15, 2023

Uplifting women’s role in Politics

It’s great to hear that the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has been actively promoting the inclusion of women and religious minorities within the party.

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