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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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February 19, 2020
USA: Women predominate among the most disengaged nonvoters

Despite the fact that women are more politically active than men and have comprised a majority of voters in recent elections, a comprehensive new survey finds that women also dominate at the other end of the spectrum: They’re disproportionately among

February 17, 2020
'Be yourself': Ex-British PM Theresa May advises women in politics

Be yourself" is the advice former British prime minister Theresa May gave to the Global Women's Forum in Dubai on Monday (Feb 17), explaining how she had risen to the top job despite refusing to conform to masculine traditions in politics.

February 11, 2020
8 women candidates win Delhi Assembly election, all from AAP

As many as eight women candidates out of 79 have emerged as winners in the Delhi assembly Election 2020. All of them belong to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The results were announced on Tuesday.

February 11, 2020
Taiwan's female politicians forge path to equality

In skinny jeans and chilly pepper red sneakers matching her lipstick, Kao Chia-yu was greeted like a film celebrity by her constituents.

February 10, 2020
Liberia: Activist encourages women to rise for elective posts

For future elections, one of which is expected to be held in October this year, the Executive Director of Paramount Young Women Initiative, Facia B.