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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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How women have helped change the culture of politics in Quebec

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May 17, 2022

How women have helped change the culture of politics in Quebec

As a high number of women leave the National Assembly, things are slow to change — but getting better.

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As a high number of women leave the National Assembly, things are slow to change — but getting better.

World News

Japan's Lower House to survey gender equality in Diet

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Japan's Lower House to survey gender equality in Diet

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Japan's Lower House of the Diet plans a questionnaire on women's participation in politics as the country largely lags behind in female representation in national parliaments.

In Japan, female lawmakers account for only 9.7 percent of all those elected in last year's Lower House election.

A survey by the Inter-Parliamentary Union shows that as of April 1, Japan ranked 166th among 188 countries surveyed in terms of the ratios of women in lower or single houses of parliament.

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Japan's Lower House of the Diet plans a questionnaire on women's participation in politics as the country largely lags behind in female representation in national parliaments.

In Japan, female lawmakers account for only 9.7 percent of all those elected in last year's Lower House election.

A survey by the Inter-Parliamentary Union shows that as of April 1, Japan ranked 166th among 188 countries surveyed in terms of the ratios of women in lower or single houses of parliament.

One in four women in Quebec's National Assembly aren't seeking re-election. What happened?

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May 11, 2022

One in four women in Quebec's National Assembly aren't seeking re-election. What happened?

For women leaving Quebec politics, is quitting an act of self-preservation?

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For women leaving Quebec politics, is quitting an act of self-preservation?

"It’s all very real": Bosnian women politicians unprotected against online abuse

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May 10, 2022

"It’s all very real": Bosnian women politicians unprotected against online abuse

A lack of legal regulation and the inefficiency of the Bosnian justice system mean Bosnian women in politics face little or no protection against gender-based abuse online.

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A lack of legal regulation and the inefficiency of the Bosnian justice system mean Bosnian women in politics face little or no protection against gender-based abuse online.

Kwarteng’s "bad apples" claim is a rotten excuse for Westminster sexism

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May 6, 2022

Kwarteng’s "bad apples" claim is a rotten excuse for Westminster sexism

Analysis: minister’s response to concerns risks appearing tone deaf, but it does play into war on woke.

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Analysis: minister’s response to concerns risks appearing tone deaf, but it does play into war on woke.

Trends in the gender composition of the Australian parliament

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May 6, 2022

Trends in the gender composition of the Australian parliament

How does the gender composition of the Australian parliament compare with parliaments around the world, and how has it changed over the past two decades

International comparisons

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How does the gender composition of the Australian parliament compare with parliaments around the world, and how has it changed over the past two decades

International comparisons

World News

"Some bad apples": senior Tory minister denies institutional misogyny

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"Some bad apples": senior Tory minister denies institutional misogyny

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UK government faces growing pressure to tackle sexual misconduct in Westminster as Kwasi Kwarteng rejects idea of inherent sexism.

The government faces intense pressure from its own MPs and opposition parties to take action over misogyny and harassment in Westminster after a senior minister denied institutional problems, saying the problem was simply “some bad apples”.

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UK government faces growing pressure to tackle sexual misconduct in Westminster as Kwasi Kwarteng rejects idea of inherent sexism.

The government faces intense pressure from its own MPs and opposition parties to take action over misogyny and harassment in Westminster after a senior minister denied institutional problems, saying the problem was simply “some bad apples”.

Solomon Islands’ first female premier: lessons learned

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May 3, 2022

Solomon Islands’ first female premier: lessons learned

In late March 2022, 16 years after she was first elected to the Isabel Provincial Assembly in Solomon Islands, Rhoda Sikilabu became the country’s first female premier.

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In late March 2022, 16 years after she was first elected to the Isabel Provincial Assembly in Solomon Islands, Rhoda Sikilabu became the country’s first female premier.

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