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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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What is a gender-sensitive parliament?

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October 19, 2022

What is a gender-sensitive parliament?

What are the criteria that make a parliament gender-sensitive? Which parliaments are more gender-sensitive than others? How can your parliament become more gender-sensitive? Answers in this short video.

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What are the criteria that make a parliament gender-sensitive? Which parliaments are more gender-sensitive than others? How can your parliament become more gender-sensitive? Answers in this short video.

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IPU Member Parliaments commit to accelerating gender equality

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IPU Member Parliaments commit to accelerating gender equality

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Parliamentarians from around the world have adopted the Kigali Declaration Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world at the end of the 145th IPU Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda.  

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Esperance Nyirasafari (Rwanda), Ivan Flores (Chile)/ IPU

Parliamentarians from around the world have adopted the Kigali Declaration Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world at the end of the 145th IPU Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda.  

Guide for participatory gender audits of parliaments published by OSCE PA and Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

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October 18, 2022

Guide for participatory gender audits of parliaments published by OSCE PA and Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) today published a “

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The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) today published a “

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World female parliamentarians vow to empower girls

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World female parliamentarians vow to empower girls

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KIGALI, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Female Members of Parliament under the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) vowed to prioritize the empowerment of girls in societies.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that the empowerment of girls is a top priority and that their basic rights are protected and fulfilled to ensure the gender-equal future of our societies," said Esperance Nyirasafari, president of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians.

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KIGALI, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Female Members of Parliament under the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) vowed to prioritize the empowerment of girls in societies.

"We have a responsibility to ensure that the empowerment of girls is a top priority and that their basic rights are protected and fulfilled to ensure the gender-equal future of our societies," said Esperance Nyirasafari, president of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians.

World News

Women return to Assembly as Kuwaitis vote for change

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Women return to Assembly as Kuwaitis vote for change

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Heavy turnout as citizens flock to vote. At least 14 new faces in Parliament.

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Heavy turnout as citizens flock to vote. At least 14 new faces in Parliament.

“The voices you’re not hearing”: The project helping mums to become MPs

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September 28, 2022

“The voices you’re not hearing”: The project helping mums to become MPs

MotherRED gives grants and support to 50 women, who commit to family-friendly policies, to stand for public office.

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MotherRED gives grants and support to 50 women, who commit to family-friendly policies, to stand for public office.

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India: In a first, UP Assembly sets aside one day for women MLAs to speak about women issues

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India: In a first, UP Assembly sets aside one day for women MLAs to speak about women issues

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Decision taken as part of an initiative launched by the Speaker to interact with MLAs grouped as per their professional degrees, gender and legislative stints.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, one day – September 22 — has been set aside for women legislators to speak and raise women-centric issues in the House, which convenes on Monday for the five-day monsoon session.

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Decision taken as part of an initiative launched by the Speaker to interact with MLAs grouped as per their professional degrees, gender and legislative stints.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative by the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, one day – September 22 — has been set aside for women legislators to speak and raise women-centric issues in the House, which convenes on Monday for the five-day monsoon session.

World News

Five ways women parliamentarians can get ahead in politics

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Five ways women parliamentarians can get ahead in politics

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As Liz Truss becomes the UK’s next PM, here’s how women parliamentarians can gain ground in politics.

Succeeding in politics is tough – succeeding as a woman is even harder. Millions of women around the world face discrimination, sexism and violence, with women parliamentarians being no exception.

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The IPU Forum of Women MPs at the 144th IPU Assembly in Indonesia (IPU)

As Liz Truss becomes the UK’s next PM, here’s how women parliamentarians can gain ground in politics.

Succeeding in politics is tough – succeeding as a woman is even harder. Millions of women around the world face discrimination, sexism and violence, with women parliamentarians being no exception.

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