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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Women don’t get opportunities very easily, they need to fight for them, says MP Diya Kumari

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September 1, 2020

Women don’t get opportunities very easily, they need to fight for them, says MP Diya Kumari

Diya Kumari is an Indian politician who was elected as the Member of Parliament from Rajsamand constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. She is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and served as a MLA from Sawai Madhopur for the term 2013-18.

September 1, 2020

Angela Merkel warns of long road ahead in worsening virus crisis

Chancellor Angela Merkel warned the

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September 1, 2020

Victorian local government elections could see a return to all-male councils, as fewer women stand because of coronavirus

There are fears October's local government elections could see a return of all-male councils in Victoria, with concerns fewer women will stand because of coronavirus impacts.

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September 1, 2020

Women traditional leaders could help make sure the pandemic message is heard

As infections and the death toll for the new coronavirus pandemic mount, African countries have introduced measures to reduce the spread, raise awareness among communities and gain citizens’ compliance. But the potential contribution of traditional leaders has mostly not been considered.

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August 31, 2020

Why Jacinda nails it: study shows how women leaders succeed by busting tradition

Women political leaders around the world are drawing praise for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. New research by Macquarie Business School explains how feminist ethics can change the world.

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August 31, 2020

We are horribly sexist to female politicians. Google data proves it

New data on Google searches lays bare the obstacles female politicians face in trying to connect with an electorate, especially if they’re becoming well-known for the first time.

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Kamala Harris reminds us that Voting is the best way to honor generations of women

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August 31, 2020

Kamala Harris reminds us that Voting is the best way to honor generations of women

This week Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris penned an Opinion Editorial for the Washington Post; marking this month’s 100th Year of Women’s Suffrage.

Senator Harris acknowledges the millions of women who were not included in the voting rights victory.

This week Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris penned an Opinion Editorial for the Washington Post; marking this month’s 100th Year of Women’s Suffrage.

Senator Harris acknowledges the millions of women who were not included in the voting rights victory.

August 31, 2020

11 female voices, from Age 13 to 110, on why the vote matters

On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment became part of the Constitution. In an enormous victory for the generations of women who had fought for suffrage, it declared that the right to vote in the United States could not be denied on the basis of sex.

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August 31, 2020

Meet two of the women running for president in male-dominated Ivory Coast

Despite the male-dominated political landscape in Ivory Coast, a handful of women intend to stand for president in the October election.

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