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.
From Bolivia to Kyrgyzstan, some countries are proving that, with the right rules and political will, real progress towards gender parity in parliaments is within reach.
Violence against politicians is a part of politics, but experimental studies find that its effect on citizens is muted.
As Ghana prepares for its 2027 local elections, new research presented in Accra highlights that violence against women in politics remains a significant barrier to democratic participation at the local level.
"Woman is the builder and moulder of the nation's destiny. Though delicate and soft as a lily, she has a heart far stronger and bolder than that of a man.
Brussels – Women occupy the top positions in three of the seven main EU institutions for the first time, but the base of female political representation is losing ground.
The sexualization of women in the political sphere has taken on a new and dangerous form that threatens democracy itself, a CSU professor argues.
Women from minority ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka continue to be systematically discriminated against and marginalized in mainstream politics, new research shows.
Tekan Cochrane is an Australian Indigenous lawyer with Kooma, Yuwaalaraay and Torres Strait Islander heritage, as well as diverse European heritage.