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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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Interviews

June 1, 2020
UN Women calls women leaders for gender-sensitive Covid-19 response

"Women in Turkey do five times as much domestic and care work than men. The Covid-19 crisis will likely deepen inequalities," says a guide by UN Women.

Organizations must take conscious steps for inclusive leadership: UN Women’s Naciri

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June 1, 2020

Organizations must take conscious steps for inclusive leadership: UN Women’s Naciri

We are not living up to our own commitments to promote women's rights, and we are also harming the prospects for sustainable, inclusive, economic growth that research shows are within reach if we succeed in creating a more gender-equal economy and so

We are not living up to our own commitments to promote women's rights, and we are also harming the prospects for sustainable, inclusive, economic growth that research shows are within reach if we succeed in creating a more gender-equal economy and so

June 1, 2020
Yemen’s first responders are women peace builders

Since 2015 Food4Humanity Foundation, one of Yemen’s first women-led Civil Society Organization (CSO) non-profits, has enga

Summary of the e-Discussion on Women’s Leadership in the COVID-19 Response

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June 1, 2020

Summary of the e-Discussion on Women’s Leadership in the COVID-19 Response

This e-Discussion raised awareness about the lack of women’s leadership and representation in COVID-19 relief and recovery decision-making and on the importance of incorporating gender-sensitive responses during and after the crisis.

This e-Discussion raised awareness about the lack of women’s leadership and representation in COVID-19 relief and recovery decision-making and on the importance of incorporating gender-sensitive responses during and after the crisis.

May 28, 2020
Forum of women members of Parliaments in Kyrgyzstan takes on domestic violence

Within the first two weeks of 2020, three women were beaten to death by their husbands or partners in Kyrgyzstan. Sadly, these were not isolated incidents.

Iceland's Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir's key to leading through Coronavirus: ‘Put your ego as a politician aside’

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May 27, 2020

Iceland's Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir's key to leading through Coronavirus: ‘Put your ego as a politician aside’

Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir says that humility and listening to the science have been the keys to leading her country through the coronavirus pandemic, and that she hopes the global outbreak will be an opportunity to revive global di

Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir says that humility and listening to the science have been the keys to leading her country through the coronavirus pandemic, and that she hopes the global outbreak will be an opportunity to revive global di