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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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https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2025/09/22/nation-world-news/japan-may-see-its-first-female-pm-despite-limited-progress-on-gender-gap/amp/
September 22, 2025
Japan may see its first female PM despite limited progress on gender gap

Japan could soon see its first female prime minister, with Sanae Takaichi emerging among the front runners in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race, a significant achievement in a country where women leaders remain a rarity.

https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!lifestyle/why-women-in-politics-are-still-excluded-from-indias-posh-act-and-left-vulnerable-to-sexual-harassment-enn25092002732
September 22, 2025
How Women In Politics Are Still Excluded From India's POSH Act And Left Vulnerable To Sexual Harassment

On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea seeking to expand the scope of the Protection of Women from Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH) Act, 2013, to include political parties.

https://www.newamerica.org/future-security/reports/a-weapon-against-women-in-politics/
September 22, 2025
A Weapon Against Women in Politics: Reining in Nonconsensual Synthetic Intimate Imagery

Abstract

https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-india-brazil-south-africa-and-un-women-launch-1-million-project-to-empower-women-legislators/
September 11, 2025
Liberia, India, Brazil, South Africa, and UN Women Launch $1 Million Project to Empower Women Legislators

Monrovia – Liberia, in partnership with India, Brazil, South Africa, and UN Women, has launched a $1 million initiative aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and promoting gender-responsive governance.

https://msmagazine.com/2025/08/25/more-women-politics-proportional-representation-ranked-choice-voting/
September 11, 2025
Real Change for Women in Politics Requires Fixing Broken Systems

Aug.

https://www.coe.int/en/web/genderequality/tackling-sexism-and-violence-against-women-in-politics
September 11, 2025
Tackling sexism and violence against women: an essential step towards equal participation

Women’s participation in politics has significantly increased over recent decades, with many countries introducing gender quotas, anti-discrimination laws, and policies aimed at protecting women’s rights.

https://thediplomat.com/2025/08/why-women-in-nepal-cant-afford-to-stay-in-politics/
September 4, 2025
Why Women in Nepal Can’t Afford to Stay in Politics

Nepal is heading to the polls in less than two years. Voters will choose their representatives for three tiers of government – the local, provincial, and federal – which will shape Nepal’s political course until the early 2030s.

https://www.undp.org/moldova/press-releases/analysis-2025-parliamentary-elections-detailed-study-representation-women-and-men-electoral-lists
September 4, 2025
Analysis of the 2025 Parliamentary Elections: A detailed study on the representation of women and men on Electoral Lists

Youth Engagement Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments

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August 12, 2025

Youth Engagement Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments

Youth engagement is key for a healthy democracy. Young people are the future generations that will lead our democracies. They are also often amongst the most disengaged people of our societies.

Youth engagement is key for a healthy democracy. Young people are the future generations that will lead our democracies. They are also often amongst the most disengaged people of our societies.