Skip to main content

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.

Show on Home Page
Yes
Image
Icon
Banner Image

June 11, 2021
Pan-African Parliament drama: Majodina accepts apology after Senegal rep 'cries and apologises'

ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina has confirmed that she accepted an apology from a fellow member of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Djibril War, the Senegal representative.

“Parity in everything”: What Mexico can teach us about women’s representation

Back
June 9, 2021

“Parity in everything”: What Mexico can teach us about women’s representation

Mexico is the first country in the world to implement gender parity so thoroughly and effectively. The journey has not been easy—and is far from over.

Mexico is the first country in the world to implement gender parity so thoroughly and effectively. The journey has not been easy—and is far from over.

June 7, 2021
Tanzanian MPs demand apology for 'tight' trousers incident

Female MPs in Tanzania have called for an apology to an MP who was ordered to leave parliament because of her trousers.

Is it time for a woman to be in charge? NYC’s female mayoral candidates discuss their platforms

Back
June 1, 2021

Is it time for a woman to be in charge? NYC’s female mayoral candidates discuss their platforms

New York City has had 108 mayors. Not a single one of them has been a woman—but that could change in 2021 as three female candidates emerge as strong, competitive contenders in the June 22 Democratic primary.

New York City has had 108 mayors. Not a single one of them has been a woman—but that could change in 2021 as three female candidates emerge as strong, competitive contenders in the June 22 Democratic primary.

Reforming Political Finance for More Diversity in Political Office

Back
June 1, 2021

Reforming Political Finance for More Diversity in Political Office

Systemic and legal barriers to equal political participation persist at all levels and take different forms, including unfavourable electoral systems, lack of support from political parties, socio-economic, and cultural.

Systemic and legal barriers to equal political participation persist at all levels and take different forms, including unfavourable electoral systems, lack of support from political parties, socio-economic, and cultural.

May 20, 2021
Glaring gap: Only 5 per cent of elected representatives are women in Tamil Nadu

This is a drop from the previous assembly election in 2016, when the State elected 21 women (about nine per cent) into power.