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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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.

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.

‘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

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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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).