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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 parliament in 2018: The year in review

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March 5, 2019

Women in parliament in 2018: The year in review

The annual report provides an update and analysis of progress made and setbacks encountered by women in parliament further to elections and renewals held over a year.

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The annual report provides an update and analysis of progress made and setbacks encountered by women in parliament further to elections and renewals held over a year.

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New IPU report shows well-designed quotas lead to significantly more women MPs

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New IPU report shows well-designed quotas lead to significantly more women MPs

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According to the IPU’s yearly analysis, the share of women in national parliaments increased by nearly one percentage point last year, from 23.4 per cent in 2017 to 24.3 per cent in 2018. This 0.9 percentage point increase confirms the continuing rise of women in parliament, at a slightly faster rate of change compared to previous years.

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According to the IPU’s yearly analysis, the share of women in national parliaments increased by nearly one percentage point last year, from 23.4 per cent in 2017 to 24.3 per cent in 2018. This 0.9 percentage point increase confirms the continuing rise of women in parliament, at a slightly faster rate of change compared to previous years.

World News

Nigeria: Women who will shape the ninth Senate

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Nigeria: Women who will shape the ninth Senate

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When the Ninth Senate of Nigeria is inaugurated in June, there will be at least no fewer than seven women in the 109-member chamber, if the results of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections are anything to go.

So far, seven women have been declared winners of senatorial contests across the country. They were among 22 female vice presidential candidates, 232 female senatorial and 532 female House Representatives standard bearers, who contested the elections.

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When the Ninth Senate of Nigeria is inaugurated in June, there will be at least no fewer than seven women in the 109-member chamber, if the results of the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections are anything to go.

So far, seven women have been declared winners of senatorial contests across the country. They were among 22 female vice presidential candidates, 232 female senatorial and 532 female House Representatives standard bearers, who contested the elections.

Barriers to Women Entering Parliament and Local Government in the United Kingdom

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February 28, 2019

Barriers to Women Entering Parliament and Local Government in the United Kingdom

In January 2018, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) commissioned this rapid evidence review, the two broad aims of which were to identify: a) barriers to women’s participation in local and

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In January 2018, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) commissioned this rapid evidence review, the two broad aims of which were to identify: a) barriers to women’s participation in local and

Representation Matters: Women in the U.S. Congress

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February 26, 2019

Representation Matters: Women in the U.S. Congress

The importance of having women serving in Congress is still not fully appreciated or understood.

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The importance of having women serving in Congress is still not fully appreciated or understood.

Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win in the United States

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February 26, 2019

Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win in the United States

Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win distills Political Parity’s research on women candidates and elected officeholders, drawing on additional studies to illuminate issues and proffer strategies

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Path to Parity: How Women Run and Win distills Political Parity’s research on women candidates and elected officeholders, drawing on additional studies to illuminate issues and proffer strategies

World News

Lebanon appoints first female Arab interior minister

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Lebanon appoints first female Arab interior minister

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Lebanese politician Raya Hassan made history on Thursday when she became the first woman interior minister in the Arab world.

Mrs Hassan, 51, becomes the most senior of four women in the 30-strong government formed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri after nine months of political wrangling.

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Lebanese politician Raya Hassan made history on Thursday when she became the first woman interior minister in the Arab world.

Mrs Hassan, 51, becomes the most senior of four women in the 30-strong government formed by Prime Minister Saad Hariri after nine months of political wrangling.

World News

Meet the 32-year-old nurse who just became the youngest black woman in the US Congress

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Meet the 32-year-old nurse who just became the youngest black woman in the US Congress

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When the 116th Congress was sworn into office on Thursday, the class made history as the most diverse group ever with a record 127 women.

Among those women was 32-year-old Democrat Lauren Underwood, who etched her name in the history book as the youngest black woman to be elected to Congress.

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When the 116th Congress was sworn into office on Thursday, the class made history as the most diverse group ever with a record 127 women.

Among those women was 32-year-old Democrat Lauren Underwood, who etched her name in the history book as the youngest black woman to be elected to Congress.

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