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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September 9, 2020
25 years after Beijing’s Women Conference, significance ‘undimmed’
Looking back on the Fourth World Conference on Women in the Chinese capital, UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said in a
September 9, 2020
Generations of progress for women and girls could be lost to COVID pandemic, UN chief warns
In an address to a virtual town hall with young women from civil society organizations, the Secretary-General said that the globa
Women who inspire: Leading through a pandemic
When we look at the global response to COVID-19, female leaders are shining.
September 8, 2020
Female leaders say sexism, threats come with the job
Local female leaders in Norman and Oklahoma City have been subject to threats, harassment and sexism in recent months.
September 8, 2020
Julia Gillard pleased her misogyny speech has become ‘battle anthem’ for young women
Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she is pleased her viral “misogyny” speech directed at Tony Abbott has become a “battle anthem” for young women fighting to make their way in the workplace.
2020 is the year of the woman donor: campaign contributions surge
On election night 2016, Gretchen Sisson was so sure Hillary Clinton would defeat Donald Trump that she and her husband invited 80 people to their San Francisco home for a party. They even had a giant sheet cake made that celebrated suffragists and the Equal Rights Amendment.
Violence against Women in Politics
Women have made significant inroads into political life in recent years, but in many parts of the world, their increased engagement has spurred attacks, intimidation, and harassment.
How Sandhya Ray became the first female MP from Bhind in Madhya Pradesh
Coming from one of the most backward villages in the country, Sandhya Ray found the support in her progressive in-laws. They didn’t just support her with her studies but also motivated her to join politics.