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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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June 5, 2020
US: New PAC focuses on increasing number of women elected to office in Wyoming

As election season gets underway in Wyoming, several top women in state politics announced this week they would be launching a nonpartisan political action committee tasked with promoting women seeking elected office.

June 5, 2020
Ella Jones elected first black mayor of Ferguson

Voters in Ferguson, Mo., made history Tuesday by electing Ella Jones as the city's first black mayor.

June 5, 2020
Historic wins for women of color as nation protests systemic racism

As the nation remained gripped by widespread protests against police brutality and systemic racism, black and Hispanic women won elections in multiple states on Tuesday while Representative Steve King, a nine-term congressman with a long history of r

June 3, 2020
'We are losers in this crisis': research finds lockdowns reinforcing gender inequality

Life during the coronavirus lockdown has reinforced gender inequality across Europe with research emphasising that the economic and social consequences of the crisis are far greater for women and threaten to push them back into traditional roles in t

June 3, 2020
Black female mayors take the spotlight amid protests and pandemic

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms captured the nation’s attention when she addressed the civil unrest occurring in her city after George Floyd’

Jacinda Ardern: 'Political leaders can be both empathetic and strong'

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June 2, 2020

Jacinda Ardern: 'Political leaders can be both empathetic and strong'

In this book extract, the New Zealand PM says too much focus on power and strength means leaders can lose sight of the need for kindness.

Tell us a little about yourself.

In this book extract, the New Zealand PM says too much focus on power and strength means leaders can lose sight of the need for kindness.

Tell us a little about yourself.

June 2, 2020
'It's not a joking matter': Boris Johnson reprimanded over lack of women in government during COVID-19 crisis

Boris Johnson has been reprimanded after laughing when he was asked about a lack of female decision makers in the government’s 

June 2, 2020
Covid-19 crisis could set women back decades, experts fear

The coronavirus pandemic is having a devastating effect on gender equality and could set women back decades, experts have said on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act.

June 2, 2020
Countries with female leaders suffer six times fewer COVID-19 deaths

The COVID-19 crisis points to female leadership as a marker for healthier and more equal societies that are more receptive to political agendas placing social and environmental wellbeing at the core of national policymaking, according to a new analys