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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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https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/wps/2025/05/23/including-women-in-peacebuilding-leads-to-more-sustainable-outcomes/
May 26, 2025
Including women in peacebuilding leads to more sustainable outcomes

Women bring different perspectives of cultures and conflict and when those voices are at the negotiating table a lasting peace is more likely, writes Maha Akeel.

How AI reinforces gender bias—and what we can do about it

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May 22, 2025

How AI reinforces gender bias—and what we can do about it

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world—but when it reflects existing biases, it can reinforce discrimination against women and girls. From hiring decisions to healthcare diagnoses, AI systems can amplify gender inequalities when trained on biased data.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world—but when it reflects existing biases, it can reinforce discrimination against women and girls. From hiring decisions to healthcare diagnoses, AI systems can amplify gender inequalities when trained on biased data.

https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania/news/national/president-stubb-applauds-tanzania-s-women-empowerment-project-5044586#
May 21, 2025
President Stubb applauds Tanzania’s women empowerment project

What you need to know:

  • The Finnish President, who is on a three-day official visit to Tanzania, made the remarks during a tour of the facility in Ilala District on Friday, 16 May 2025.

“Women’s voices are often challenged, and deliberate obstacles—like financial constraints and exclusion from political networks—make it harder for them to participate” Naila Kabeer, Professor Emerita, London School of Economics and Political Science

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May 9, 2025

“Women’s voices are often challenged, and deliberate obstacles—like financial constraints and exclusion from political networks—make it harder for them to participate” Naila Kabeer, Professor Emerita, London School of Economics and Political Science

SC Now
May 5, 2025
Number of women who are state lawmakers inches up to a record high

Opinion: Feminist foreign policy in the digital age

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April 24, 2025

Opinion: Feminist foreign policy in the digital age

Last month, representatives from UN Women and Zenobia, a civil society organization, spoke at the launch of France’s feminist foreign policy strategy by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, highlighting the need for a feminist approach to global pea

Last month, representatives from UN Women and Zenobia, a civil society organization, spoke at the launch of France’s feminist foreign policy strategy by Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, highlighting the need for a feminist approach to global pea

Challenging institutional gatekeeping for gender equality: a conversation with Jennifer Piscopo, Professor of Gender and Politics and Director of the Gender Institute at Royal Holloway, University of London

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April 23, 2025

Challenging institutional gatekeeping for gender equality: a conversation with Jennifer Piscopo, Professor of Gender and Politics and Director of the Gender Institute at Royal Holloway, University of London

Front Page Africa
April 23, 2025
Liberia: Top Female Politicians’ Absence from Fundraiser Raises Questions About Women’s Solidarity in Liberian Politics

MONROVIA — A prominent fundraising campaign for Edith Gongloe-Weh, the only female candidate in Tuesday’s upcoming senatorial by-election in Nimba County, has drawn widespread support from prominent women, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.