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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How to thwart political violence targeting women to stabilize societies

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November 1, 2019

How to thwart political violence targeting women to stabilize societies

This month, the New York Times profiled Zarifa Ghafari, one of the few female mayors in Afghanistan.

October 31, 2019

Women MPs say abuse forcing them from politics

MPs have increasingly become the target of abuse - and some women politicians say they are bearing the brunt of it.

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October 30, 2019

Slovakia is not the best country for women

Slovakia is walking on the right path when it comes to women’s empowerment. But the country still lags, even behind its closest neighbours.

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October 30, 2019

Sexism in parliament in Iceland: The numbers don’t lie

According to a new study, around 80% of women in Parliament are exposed to gender-based violence. In May, the study surveyed 33 women who are working in or have recently quit Parliament, with 25 women responding.

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October 28, 2019

Belgium gets first female PM as Sophie Wilmès takes office

Belgium’s first female prime minister in its 189-year history has taken office, after Sophie Wilmès was named as the head of the country’s next caretaker government.

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October 28, 2019

USA: These candidates are proof: Investing in women who run for state and local office pays off

Many feminists celebrated the incredible progress made in 2018 when more women were elected to Congress than ever before—but victories at the state level warranted commemoration, too.

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October 28, 2019

Claudia López: Colombia's capital elects gay woman as mayor

Claudia López, a gay politician who advertises herself as "incorruptible", has become the first woman to be elected mayor of Colombia's capital, Bogotá.

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October 25, 2019

Portugal's first black women lawmakers take office

Members of Portugal's new parliament took up office on Friday, among them the country's first black women lawmakers who campaigned on promises to fight racism and inequality.

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October 25, 2019

African women leaders network launches Ethiopia chapter

The Ethiopian Chapter of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) is launched on Monday at an event attended by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.'

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