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Women's Leadership

While there have been important advances in women’s leadership in politics, as of November 1 2017, women make up only 7.2% of Heads of State and 6.2% Heads of Government. Data on women representatives in local government, including as mayors, heads of villages and towns, is not well collected and analyzed. The adoption of an SDG indicator on women’s representation in local government is a great step forward in tracking progress on gender balance, allowing for the systematic collection and analysis of data on women in local government. Women’s access to and continued role in leadership positions is challenged by a range of barriers, including discriminatory laws and practices, as well as social norms that prescribe traditional roles and attitudes towards women’s participation in leadership and decision-making roles. Proactive gender-equality policies within political parties and local government structures, including quotas and special temporary measures, gender-sensitive approaches to electoral processes, support networks, mentoring, training, and engagement of male champions, can all help promote women’s role in political leadership. 

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South Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Dialogue in Bangkok, Thailand

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September 17, 2026

South Asia and Southeast Asia Regional Dialogue in Bangkok, Thailand

International IDEA organized a two-day South Asia and Southeast Asia Dialogue on transforming gender social norms to advance women’s and youth participation and representation in leadership and decision-making.

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International IDEA organized a two-day South Asia and Southeast Asia Dialogue on transforming gender social norms to advance women’s and youth participation and representation in leadership and decision-making.

https://english.nepalnews.com/s/diplomacy/norway-supports-womens-political-participation-in-nepal/
September 17, 2026
Norway supports women’s political participation in Nepal

KATHMANDU: The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu has said women’s political participation is essential to strengthening democracy and ensuring that decision-making reflects the people being represented.

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September 14, 2026
Empowering women, creating opportunities – promoting women's participation in politics, and contributing to gender equality.

From capacity building to empowering women in politics: The mark of a project for gender equality.

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https://globalvoices.org/2026/08/25/mozambique-women-capulana-dresses-and-police-violence-stand-out-at-nampula-protests/
September 9, 2026
Mozambique: Women, capulana dresses, and police violence stand out at Nampula protests

Days before April 7

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https://streamlinefeed.co.ke/news/decades-after-beijing-women-renew-demands-for-global-inclusion-and-equality
September 8, 2026
Decades After Beijing, Women Renew Demands for Global Inclusion and Equality

Thirty-one years after the historic 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, a new wave of socio-political advocacy is sweeping across Africa and the globe, demanding concrete systemic reforms rather than the rhetorical promises that have characterized the past three decades.

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https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/tanzania-s-regional-peace-role-in-focus-at-women-s-conference-5587390
September 8, 2026
Tanzania’s regional peace role in focus at women’s conference

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania will host the first Women’s Parliamentary Conference in November, giving the country an opportunity to strengthen its role in regional peace and security efforts while promoting greater participation of women in political decision-making across the Great L

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https://dailynews.co.tz/former-sa-first-lady-calls-for-continuous-struggle-for-womens-rights/
September 8, 2026
Former SA First Lady calls for continuous struggle for women’s rights

SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg FORMER South Africa’s First Lady Ms Zanele Mbeki has called for continuous actions by women from across Africa and the world at large in the struggle for their rights in order to fast track realisation of the iss

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