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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Equal Future: How many women are in your parliament?

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July 4, 2022

Equal Future: How many women are in your parliament?

Over the last 25 years, since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action by the United Nations in 1995, the number of women parliamentarians has nearly doubled worldwide.

July 4, 2022

Cuba second in the world on parliamentary gender parity

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) has placed Cuba as the second of the five countries in the world that boast gender parity in parliament and the country with the second-highest proportion of

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June 29, 2022

French lawmakers pick Yael Braun-Pivet as first ever woman president of National Assembly

France's lower house of parliament on Tuesday agreed to pick an MP from President Emmanuel Macron's centrist coalition as the first woman speaker, despite the ruling alliance losing its majority in legislative elections.

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Summary of the e-Discussion on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women in Politics

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June 21, 2022

Summary of the e-Discussion on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Women in Politics

This e-Discussion raised awareness and collected experiences, knowledge, and good practices on women’s political participation in the co

How to get a better class of MP? Help mothers stand for parliament

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June 20, 2022

How to get a better class of MP? Help mothers stand for parliament

The first recipients of the grants from Labour MP Stella Creasy’s MotheRED scheme to encourage women into the Commons tell why it could help stop the rot in politics.

June 14, 2022

"Women power, clean image": Naveen Patnaik revamps cabinet with eye on 2024 polls

By accommodating more women and dropping some controversial leaders from the cabinet, the Biju Janata Dal chief is gearing up for assembly and general elections.

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His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam announces the new Cabinet line-up. PHOTO: INFOFOTO via Borneo Bulletin/A

June 9, 2022

Sultanate’s first female minister in Brunei’s new cabinet

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN — His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam announced the reshuffle, retaining and appointment of several new Cabinet ministers

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