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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Diversity in the Bundestag
Diversity in the Bundestag
By Sophie Stowers
By Sophie Stowers
We must celebrate Westminster's female role models if we're to attract more women to a career in politics
We must celebrate Westminster's female role models if we're to attract more women to a career in politics
By Caroline Nokes
By Caroline Nokes
World News
In Namibia, mixed feelings on gender parity progress
A CROSS section of female politicians in Namibia have voiced their concern over the slow progress of political parties in implementing 50/50 (zebra style) representation in party structures and parliament.
While some believe the country is on the right path to achieving the set Southern African Development Community (SADC) target of 30% representation of women in positions of power, primarily in politics, others believe not enough is not being done, and called for a paradigm shift.
A CROSS section of female politicians in Namibia have voiced their concern over the slow progress of political parties in implementing 50/50 (zebra style) representation in party structures and parliament.
While some believe the country is on the right path to achieving the set Southern African Development Community (SADC) target of 30% representation of women in positions of power, primarily in politics, others believe not enough is not being done, and called for a paradigm shift.
World News
Maltese Court shoots down Cassola legal challenge to election gender quota mechanism
The court has turned down a constitutional case filed by independent candidate Arnold Cassola against government over the gender corrective mechanism approved by parliament last April.
Cassola had argued constitutional amendments approved in parliament are discriminatory in favour of “PNPL women” and against all other women who are not affiliated to one of the two big parties. “Worse than that, it is an insult jointly concocted by the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party,” Cassola had said.
The court has turned down a constitutional case filed by independent candidate Arnold Cassola against government over the gender corrective mechanism approved by parliament last April.
Cassola had argued constitutional amendments approved in parliament are discriminatory in favour of “PNPL women” and against all other women who are not affiliated to one of the two big parties. “Worse than that, it is an insult jointly concocted by the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party,” Cassola had said.
World News
How did Somaliland end up with zero female MPs?
Over 30 years since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, the Republic of Somaliland has established itself as a paragon of stability in a tough neighbourhood. Although it remains internationally unrecognised, it is inevitably compared favourably to Somalia, not least in its efforts to establish a homegrown democratic tradition. Though not always smoothly, Somaliland has held eight functional elections and one constitutional referendum since 2001.
Over 30 years since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, the Republic of Somaliland has established itself as a paragon of stability in a tough neighbourhood. Although it remains internationally unrecognised, it is inevitably compared favourably to Somalia, not least in its efforts to establish a homegrown democratic tradition. Though not always smoothly, Somaliland has held eight functional elections and one constitutional referendum since 2001.
World News
Australian local government NSW welcomes soaring number of women elected to councils
Communities across NSW can look forward to better, more representative local government following a dramatic rise in the number of women elected to councils, the sector's peak body said. MidCoast Council has four female councillors including one new councillors.
These include Claire Pontin, Katheryn Smith, Kathryn Bell, and Dheera Smith. Local Government NSW (LGNSW) president Darriea Turley said women now make up 39.5 per cent of all councillors in NSW - an 8.5 per cent jump on the proportion of women elected in 2016/17.
Communities across NSW can look forward to better, more representative local government following a dramatic rise in the number of women elected to councils, the sector's peak body said. MidCoast Council has four female councillors including one new councillors.
These include Claire Pontin, Katheryn Smith, Kathryn Bell, and Dheera Smith. Local Government NSW (LGNSW) president Darriea Turley said women now make up 39.5 per cent of all councillors in NSW - an 8.5 per cent jump on the proportion of women elected in 2016/17.
World News
Brighton & Hove: politician criticises trolls abusing women in politics
A politician has called for an end to the insults that women receive on social media when they enter the political spotlight.
Kahina Bouhassane received a deluge of abuse on social media when she stood as the Green Party’s candidate for Sussex police and crime commissioner. The 23-year-old deputy chair of Brighton and Hove Green Party decided to speak out about the comments as she wants to more women to take part in political life.
A politician has called for an end to the insults that women receive on social media when they enter the political spotlight.
Kahina Bouhassane received a deluge of abuse on social media when she stood as the Green Party’s candidate for Sussex police and crime commissioner. The 23-year-old deputy chair of Brighton and Hove Green Party decided to speak out about the comments as she wants to more women to take part in political life.
World News
Women get parity as Dutch government sworn in after record delay
The new government has been sworn into office in the Netherlands, a record 299 days after the country's last election.Mark Rutte is now set to become the Netherlands’ longest-serving prime minister as he leads a fourth separate executive. Rutte has already headed three coalitions and only narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in parliament last April.
The new government has been sworn into office in the Netherlands, a record 299 days after the country's last election.Mark Rutte is now set to become the Netherlands’ longest-serving prime minister as he leads a fourth separate executive. Rutte has already headed three coalitions and only narrowly survived a no-confidence motion in parliament last April.
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