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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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Nigeria: political inclusion - WFD asks national assembly to introduce laws on quotas for women, PWDS

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September 13, 2023

Nigeria: political inclusion - WFD asks national assembly to introduce laws on quotas for women, PWDS

WFD recommended that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) should impress on the legislators to create laws that will use both incentives and sanctions to enhance political inclusion.

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WFD recommended that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) should impress on the legislators to create laws that will use both incentives and sanctions to enhance political inclusion.

Climbing the ranks: Australia’s gender equity breakthrough

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September 13, 2023

Climbing the ranks: Australia’s gender equity breakthrough

When Kylea Tink, Member for North Sydney, decried the “unconstructive noise and aggression” in Australia’s Parliament this week, she wasn’t merely venting frustration.

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When Kylea Tink, Member for North Sydney, decried the “unconstructive noise and aggression” in Australia’s Parliament this week, she wasn’t merely venting frustration.

What Kishida’s reshuffle says about female participation in politics

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September 13, 2023

What Kishida’s reshuffle says about female participation in politics

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appointed a record-tying five women to ministerial posts in his Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, as well as one to a key position in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as he aims to increase female executives in politics

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida appointed a record-tying five women to ministerial posts in his Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, as well as one to a key position in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as he aims to increase female executives in politics

Women in power: norm not the exception

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September 12, 2023

Women in power: norm not the exception

The absence of women in senior leadership roles is a critical and multidimensional issue that needs to be addressed as the socio-cultural landscape of Pakistan changes.

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The absence of women in senior leadership roles is a critical and multidimensional issue that needs to be addressed as the socio-cultural landscape of Pakistan changes.

Koike Yuriko: tackling gender bias from the Tokyo metropolitan government

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September 12, 2023

Koike Yuriko: tackling gender bias from the Tokyo metropolitan government

If we consider how to advance the status of women in Japan, we must consider it from two vantage points.

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If we consider how to advance the status of women in Japan, we must consider it from two vantage points.

September 12, 2023
Australia MP says male colleague used to breathe on her neck in parliament

A prominent Australian politician says she has been subjected to ongoing harassment inside the nation's parliament.

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‘It is perhaps easier as a man than a woman to say that it is tougher for women in politics’

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September 12, 2023

‘It is perhaps easier as a man than a woman to say that it is tougher for women in politics’

The past twelve months or more have not been so good for women in senior political positions.

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The past twelve months or more have not been so good for women in senior political positions.

First female prime minister in the world

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September 11, 2023

First female prime minister in the world

In the annals of history, there are individuals whose leadership transcends boundaries and reshapes the world’s political landscape.

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In the annals of history, there are individuals whose leadership transcends boundaries and reshapes the world’s political landscape.

The women leading Britain’s political awakening

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September 11, 2023

The women leading Britain’s political awakening

“People’s faith in politics is at an all-time low”, Carol Vorderman, who was recently likened to a “celebrity attack dog” by Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, told Deborah Ro

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“People’s faith in politics is at an all-time low”, Carol Vorderman, who was recently likened to a “celebrity attack dog” by Conservative MP Johnny Mercer, told Deborah Ro

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