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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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Women in Swiss politics: Still a long way to go

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February 19, 2021

Women in Swiss politics: Still a long way to go

Fifty years after getting the right to vote, women are better represented in the Swiss parliament than ever. In a ranking of 191 countries worldwide, Switzerland is in 17th place.

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It's not unusual: The newly elected all-male Aargau government in October 2020, with its chancellor, Vincenza Trivigno

Fifty years after getting the right to vote, women are better represented in the Swiss parliament than ever. In a ranking of 191 countries worldwide, Switzerland is in 17th place.

‘We can’t leave parliaments to men’: Leading in Spring Street

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February 18, 2021

‘We can’t leave parliaments to men’: Leading in Spring Street

Ask every female politician in the Victorian Parliament and they will most likely have that one story.

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Ask every female politician in the Victorian Parliament and they will most likely have that one story.

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Iceland’s Parliament reschedules sessions, opens nursery to be a more family-friendly workplace

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Iceland’s Parliament reschedules sessions, opens nursery to be a more family-friendly workplace

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A nursery, complete with a diaper change facility, has been opened at the first floor of Iceland’s Parliament building. Secretary-General of Alþingi Ragna Árnadóttir told Vísir that this is a good step towards making Parliament a more family-friendly workplace. Parliamentary sessions have also recently been rescheduled in order to shorten workweek and increase predictability for parliament staff.

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A nursery, complete with a diaper change facility, has been opened at the first floor of Iceland’s Parliament building. Secretary-General of Alþingi Ragna Árnadóttir told Vísir that this is a good step towards making Parliament a more family-friendly workplace. Parliamentary sessions have also recently been rescheduled in order to shorten workweek and increase predictability for parliament staff.

Women, politics and opposition

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February 11, 2021

Women, politics and opposition

The conventional consensus is that Pakistan lags behind severely in gender equality. However, one area where it has made progress is women in politics. It is one of 70 countries in the world that has had a woman prime minister or president.

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The conventional consensus is that Pakistan lags behind severely in gender equality. However, one area where it has made progress is women in politics. It is one of 70 countries in the world that has had a woman prime minister or president.

World News

Gender quota helps women win in Egypt

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Gender quota helps women win in Egypt

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By Fatma Tawfik

In 2019, after Egypt witnessed a long fight for gender equality in the political, economic and social spheres, the Egyptian parliament approved a constitutional amendment that includes a gender quota, reserving 25 percent of parliamentary seats for women. 

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By Fatma Tawfik

In 2019, after Egypt witnessed a long fight for gender equality in the political, economic and social spheres, the Egyptian parliament approved a constitutional amendment that includes a gender quota, reserving 25 percent of parliamentary seats for women. 

Why don’t more women run for office?

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February 5, 2021

Why don’t more women run for office?

A century ago, Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons. While female participation in federal office has increased significantly since then, women still only make up 28 per cent of Parliament today.

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A century ago, Agnes Macphail was the first woman elected to the House of Commons. While female participation in federal office has increased significantly since then, women still only make up 28 per cent of Parliament today.

World News

When will women hold as many top government jobs as men?

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When will women hold as many top government jobs as men?

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By Emma Batha

LONDON, Feb 1 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Boosting the number of female leaders and government ministers will help build a stronger post-pandemic world, the head of U.N. Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said on Monday as data showed women may wait 130 years to see equality at the top.

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By Emma Batha

LONDON, Feb 1 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Boosting the number of female leaders and government ministers will help build a stronger post-pandemic world, the head of U.N. Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said on Monday as data showed women may wait 130 years to see equality at the top.

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