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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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September 22, 2021
Japan takes step toward first female leader as two women run

Two women are in contention to become prime minister of Japan for the first time in its history — a potential turning point for a country that ranks below Saudi Arabia in terms of female political representation.

September 13, 2021
Mexico’s bold break with machismo: Congress is now half female, and gender parity is the law

HERMOSILLO, Mexico — When Claudia Pavlovich ran for governor of Sonora, a vast swath of cowboy country south of Arizona, not a single Mexican state was led by a woman. Fewer than 10 percent of the nation’s mayors were female.

September 13, 2021
India: 25 years on, Women’s Reservation Bill still not a reality

India ranks 148th in a list of 193 countries based on the percentage of elected women representatives in their national parliaments.

La cheffe du Conseil mohawk de Kahnawake récemment élue, Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer  PHOTO : RADIO-CANADA / IVANOH DEMERS
August 9, 2021
Indigenous leaders praise historic election victories by women

It's no coincidence that a wave of Indigenous women have won leadership roles previously held only by men, say leaders and advocates.

Australian politics, as told by women

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August 3, 2021

Australian politics, as told by women

Parliament's gender problem is as old as the institution itself.

Today on The Signal, a story of an alleged workplace assault in the 80s that's never been publicly heard before.

Parliament's gender problem is as old as the institution itself.

Today on The Signal, a story of an alleged workplace assault in the 80s that's never been publicly heard before.

Videos

‘Women have not been able to hold these positions’: Samoa’s first female PM gets down to the job

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August 3, 2021

‘Women have not been able to hold these positions’: Samoa’s first female PM gets down to the job

After months of political turmoil, following the country’s most contentious election, Fiama Naomi Mata’afa is ready to get to work.

After months of political turmoil, following the country’s most contentious election, Fiama Naomi Mata’afa is ready to get to work.

August 3, 2021
'Toxic boys club': Women in politics join calls for code of conduct in parliament

Federal MPs have told a women’s leadership summit a "legacy of misogyny" and "sexist underbelly" continues to plague Australian politics and must be addressed.

Gender Quotas and Women’s Political Representation: Lessons from Morocco

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July 28, 2021

Gender Quotas and Women’s Political Representation: Lessons from Morocco

In 2011, the Arab Spring precipitated fervent calls for democratic reforms, leading the Moroccan government to enact gender quotas that reserved seats for women in Parliament as well as regional, district, and communal councils.

In 2011, the Arab Spring precipitated fervent calls for democratic reforms, leading the Moroccan government to enact gender quotas that reserved seats for women in Parliament as well as regional, district, and communal councils.

Summary of the e-Discussion on Closing the Gender Gap in Politics

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July 26, 2021

Summary of the e-Discussion on Closing the Gender Gap in Politics

This e-Discussion raised awareness about the slow progress towards achieving full and equal participation of women in politics and gathered exp

This e-Discussion raised awareness about the slow progress towards achieving full and equal participation of women in politics and gathered exp