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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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October 4, 2022
Women return to Assembly as Kuwaitis vote for change

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.

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

September 27, 2022
India: In a first, UP Assembly sets aside one day for women MLAs to speak about women issues

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.

The IPU Forum of Women MPs at the 144th IPU Assembly in Indonesia (IPU)
September 26, 2022
Five ways women parliamentarians can get ahead in politics

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

How women are banding together to change Japanese politics

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September 20, 2022

How women are banding together to change Japanese politics

On a sweltering day in July, Yoshii Aya, still reeling from her bitter election defeat a few months prior, arrived in Kyoto with a stack of leftover business cards tailored for that bygone race.

On a sweltering day in July, Yoshii Aya, still reeling from her bitter election defeat a few months prior, arrived in Kyoto with a stack of leftover business cards tailored for that bygone race.

Canadians want parties and governments to act on gender parity in politics

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September 19, 2022

Canadians want parties and governments to act on gender parity in politics

Canadians want parties and governments to act on gender parity in politics.

Canadians want parties and governments to act on gender parity in politics.

Take Five: Key questions about women in local politics

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September 19, 2022

Take Five: Key questions about women in local politics

It’s been 129 years since women won the right to vote, but as Aotearoa begins voting in this year’s local body elections it’s clear we still have a long way to go.

It’s been 129 years since women won the right to vote, but as Aotearoa begins voting in this year’s local body elections it’s clear we still have a long way to go.

How to mitigate these five threats to democracy (IPU)
September 15, 2022
How to mitigate these five threats to democracy

Democratization is under pressure across the globe. Here are five major threats to democracy, and how to mitigate them.