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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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Interviews

In Pakistan, gendered politics prevail

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February 10, 2022

In Pakistan, gendered politics prevail

Pakistan’s constitution makes no distinction between genders but women in parliament know that’s not the reality in politics.

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Pakistan’s constitution makes no distinction between genders but women in parliament know that’s not the reality in politics.

Women’s representation and implications for fairness, trust, and performance in local government: a survey experiment in Sri Lanka

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February 9, 2022

Women’s representation and implications for fairness, trust, and performance in local government: a survey experiment in Sri Lanka

How do quotas for women in Sri Lanka’s local government institutions affect key governance indicators such as perceived fairness, institutional trust, and perceived performance?

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How do quotas for women in Sri Lanka’s local government institutions affect key governance indicators such as perceived fairness, institutional trust, and perceived performance?

Biden's first year: A mirage of gender parity

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February 8, 2022

Biden's first year: A mirage of gender parity

Joseph Robinette Biden stood before America answering questions for nearly two hours the day before his one-year anniversary of becoming president.

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Biden's first year: A mirage of gender parity - © Washington Post/Pool/ The Hill

Joseph Robinette Biden stood before America answering questions for nearly two hours the day before his one-year anniversary of becoming president.

Interviews

Interview: Zec should ensure political parties are gender sensitive

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February 7, 2022

Interview: Zec should ensure political parties are gender sensitive

The country is preparing to hold by-elections on March 26, and the list of candidates shows that there are fewer female candidates than males. Women are said to face several hurdles such as lack of finances to support their electoral campaigns and violence.

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The country is preparing to hold by-elections on March 26, and the list of candidates shows that there are fewer female candidates than males. Women are said to face several hurdles such as lack of finances to support their electoral campaigns and violence.

Women’s representation in local government: A global analysis

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February 4, 2022

Women’s representation in local government: A global analysis

This working paper presents data and analysis on women’s representation in local government by UN Women as the sole custodian agency for 

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This working paper presents data and analysis on women’s representation in local government by UN Women as the sole custodian agency for 

More representation but not influence: women in the European Parliament

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February 1, 2022

More representation but not influence: women in the European Parliament

Representing more than 447 million people across 27 countries, the European Parliament should be the poster child for the European Union’s “united in diversity” motto.

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Representing more than 447 million people across 27 countries, the European Parliament should be the poster child for the European Union’s “united in diversity” motto.

Interviews

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