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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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Ignoring online abuse of women MPs has dire consequences

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May 31, 2023

Ignoring online abuse of women MPs has dire consequences

Women MPs are exposed to daily online harassment, and social media platforms provide unlimited scope for anonymous, hostile and aggressive behaviour to be targeted at them.

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Women MPs are exposed to daily online harassment, and social media platforms provide unlimited scope for anonymous, hostile and aggressive behaviour to be targeted at them.

Canada: Time to speed up the glacial pace of gender parity in federal politics

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May 26, 2023

Canada: Time to speed up the glacial pace of gender parity in federal politics

The Alberta election has come and gone. Two powerful women engaged in a closely fought battle, guaranteeing a woman premier no matter which party triumphed.

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The Alberta election has come and gone. Two powerful women engaged in a closely fought battle, guaranteeing a woman premier no matter which party triumphed.

Uganda: 'People find us easy targets': Women politicians face a torrent of online abuse but say they won't stop their work

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May 25, 2023

Uganda: 'People find us easy targets': Women politicians face a torrent of online abuse but say they won't stop their work

Doreen Nyanjura is a modern politician.

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Doreen Nyanjura is a modern politician.

Nigeria: eliminating the barriers to women’s participation in politics

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May 25, 2023

Nigeria: eliminating the barriers to women’s participation in politics

A significant democratic weakness that threatens the validity of the modern democratic ideal is the underrepresentation of women. Therefore, parity democracy and the advancement of women in decision-making are major areas of work.

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A significant democratic weakness that threatens the validity of the modern democratic ideal is the underrepresentation of women. Therefore, parity democracy and the advancement of women in decision-making are major areas of work.

Interviews

Women still struggling with boys' club of Greek politics

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May 23, 2023

Women still struggling with boys' club of Greek politics

Athens (AFP) – As the credits rolled on Greek television's long-awaited election debate between the party leaders, one thing united them -- they were all men.

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Athens (AFP) – As the credits rolled on Greek television's long-awaited election debate between the party leaders, one thing united them -- they were all men.

India - Karnataka political glass ceiling: why women have limited representation

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May 22, 2023

India - Karnataka political glass ceiling: why women have limited representation

Women politicians in Karnataka have limited representation in the state’s power circles, despite rising participation by women voters.

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Women politicians in Karnataka have limited representation in the state’s power circles, despite rising participation by women voters.

In Hungary, politics is mainly a man's game

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May 22, 2023

In Hungary, politics is mainly a man's game

BUDAPEST -- On May 14, 2022, thousands watched as Katalin Novak walked on the red carpet laid in front of the imposing building of the Hungarian parliament.

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BUDAPEST -- On May 14, 2022, thousands watched as Katalin Novak walked on the red carpet laid in front of the imposing building of the Hungarian parliament.

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