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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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Gender and climate change: Do female parliamentarians make difference?

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February 4, 2020

Gender and climate change: Do female parliamentarians make difference?

This paper investigates whether female political representation in national parliaments influences climate change policy outcomes.

This paper investigates whether female political representation in national parliaments influences climate change policy outcomes.

February 3, 2020
Women in power: One Syrian town’s struggle for change

In spite of the powerful deterrents of Russian fighter jets, Assad regime barrel bombs and the extreme social politics of many radical militias, the women of Western Aleppo have fought their own battle for freedom, for women’s right to equality, and

February 3, 2020
The Liberia Elections Observation Network campaigns for 30% women’s representation at capitol

The Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON), in collaboration with Carter Center, has begun an aggressive campaign to bring to realization the 30% representation of women in the political and governance process that has lingered in the Legislatu

January 30, 2020
US: Political scientist releases definitive research on the first century of women voters

In new research fittingly published in the year marking the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in the U.S., two political scientists trace the evolution of women's voting behavior, turnout and candidate choice.

January 30, 2020
One mom grew so frustrated with the lack of women in politics that she started a PAC to get women elected

It’s no secret that the United States is drastically, embarrassingly far behind other modernized nations when it comes to female political leadership.

January 29, 2020
FG gets report on women’s political participation in 2019 elections

A delegation of national and international partners, led by United Nations (UN) women, has presented to the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, a detailed report of a national conference to assess lessons learnt on women’s political parti

January 29, 2020
How to ensure election-related sexual violence never happens again

In the aftermath of the 2007-08 post-election violence, the Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence (Waki Commission) documented more than 900 sexual violence cases perpetrated by security agents and civilians against women, girls, men