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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 21, 2020
Israel’s new women’s party promises a ‘different kind of leadership’

“I don’t matter to Knesset members,” says Elana Sztokman in a campaign video for the new women’s party she just co-founded.

February 21, 2020
The future is female: How the growing political power of women will remake American politics

The most profound change in American politics today and in the years to come will result from a massive movement of women into the Democratic Party.

February 20, 2020
UN chief calls for realizing aspirations on women empowerment

High-level experts and policymakers have issued a clarion call to African leaders to ensure the needs and perspectives of the continent’s women and girls are fully integrated into efforts to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

February 19, 2020
UK names first woman US ambassador

The government has named Dame Karen Pierce as the new ambassador to the US.

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