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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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March 7, 2022
Myanmar’s first post-coup People’s Assembly decides on 30 per cent women’s quota

Women make up over half of Myanmar’s population, yet significant obstacles remain for women to be able to participate in political processes and to achieve equal representation in Myanmar’s state institutions.

Women in parliament in 2021: The year in review

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March 7, 2022

Women in parliament in 2021: The year in review

The world walked into 2021 with the shadow of COVID-19 looming large over its head. As well as posing a major health risk, the pandemic had also caused economic and social upheaval.

The world walked into 2021 with the shadow of COVID-19 looming large over its head. As well as posing a major health risk, the pandemic had also caused economic and social upheaval.

Political violence against women: A case from the Central African Republic

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March 7, 2022

Political violence against women: A case from the Central African Republic

Sitting at her desk with the Central African flag behind her, Beatrice Epaye’s sustained gaze hints at courage and determination. And she has both in quantities.

Sitting at her desk with the Central African flag behind her, Beatrice Epaye’s sustained gaze hints at courage and determination. And she has both in quantities.

Indonesia: Women's political representation and gender-friendly policies

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March 3, 2022

Indonesia: Women's political representation and gender-friendly policies

Women's political representation is not only meaningful in terms of fulfilling the quota of 30 percent within the parliament, but also it affects substantive matters such as gender-friendly policies.

Women's political representation is not only meaningful in terms of fulfilling the quota of 30 percent within the parliament, but also it affects substantive matters such as gender-friendly policies.

March 3, 2022
Strengthening the role of women in local politics in the South Mediterranean

Congress Vice-President and Rapporteur on the South-Med Partnership, Xavier Cadoret (France, SOC/G/PD), welcomed the positive dynamic in Morocco in strengthening women’s political participation as

Rising in the rankings, Arab women dream of gender equality

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March 2, 2022

Rising in the rankings, Arab women dream of gender equality

Throughout history, Arab women have suffered greatly under foreign occupation, believing that one day their countries would be free and Women would have political freedom.

Throughout history, Arab women have suffered greatly under foreign occupation, believing that one day their countries would be free and Women would have political freedom.

March 2, 2022
First female Arab Knesset member to head Israeli diplomatic mission

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid has appointed Meretz Knesset member Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi as consul general in Shanghai, sparking an outcry from critics.

March 1, 2022
Constitution review in Nigeria: Committee presents 68 alterations as women protest exclusion from politics

The House of Representatives special committee on review of the 1999 Constitution has presented the first batch of its report.