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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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Finnish parliament still mostly middle-aged, male

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May 3, 2019

Finnish parliament still mostly middle-aged, male

Finland's parliamentary election on Sunday has been touted by some as a victory for "red-green" female candidates.

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Finland's parliamentary election on Sunday has been touted by some as a victory for "red-green" female candidates.

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UK: Councils 'behind the times' on female equality and will take 32 years to achieve gender balance, study says

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UK: Councils 'behind the times' on female equality and will take 32 years to achieve gender balance, study says

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Councils are “behind the times” on women’s representation and will take over three decades to achieve gender balance at current rates, a prominent women’s rights organisation has warned.

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Councils are “behind the times” on women’s representation and will take over three decades to achieve gender balance at current rates, a prominent women’s rights organisation has warned.

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Finnish parliamentary elections: Record number of women winners

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Finnish parliamentary elections: Record number of women winners

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The main issues driving Finland’s 2019 parliamentary election on April 14, 2019 included the previous government coalition’s unsuccessful attempt to pass a long-debated social and healthcare reform; the need for action to mitigate climate change; and immigration policies. A new Parliament is elected every four years.

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The main issues driving Finland’s 2019 parliamentary election on April 14, 2019 included the previous government coalition’s unsuccessful attempt to pass a long-debated social and healthcare reform; the need for action to mitigate climate change; and immigration policies. A new Parliament is elected every four years.

Women in Ethiopia still struggle despite leadership in government

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April 25, 2019

Women in Ethiopia still struggle despite leadership in government

Following 2018 elections in Ethiopia, a record-breaking number of women now hold leadership positions in the country’s government. But women still struggle to rise up the ranks in other sectors.

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Following 2018 elections in Ethiopia, a record-breaking number of women now hold leadership positions in the country’s government. But women still struggle to rise up the ranks in other sectors.

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Sudanese women are right to demand parity in the transition

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Sudanese women are right to demand parity in the transition

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Sudan’s transition must be inclusive if it is to build a country for all Sudanese.

The Karama network endorses the Sudanese Women’s Declaration For Change No (1) April 2019, and its calls for gender parity as a minimum for Sudan’s governmental institutions, executive bodies, legislative and the judiciary, including at decision-making level.   

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Sudan’s transition must be inclusive if it is to build a country for all Sudanese.

The Karama network endorses the Sudanese Women’s Declaration For Change No (1) April 2019, and its calls for gender parity as a minimum for Sudan’s governmental institutions, executive bodies, legislative and the judiciary, including at decision-making level.   

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DRC MPs elect woman speaker of parliament, Jeanine Mabunda

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DRC MPs elect woman speaker of parliament, Jeanine Mabunda

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Lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, on Wednesday elected Jeanine Mabunda as head of the national assembly.

Mabunda was the only candidate fielded for the position after her main opponent, Henri Thomas Lokondo, was disqualified. The main opposition boycotted the process citing political manoeuvering.

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Lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, on Wednesday elected Jeanine Mabunda as head of the national assembly.

Mabunda was the only candidate fielded for the position after her main opponent, Henri Thomas Lokondo, was disqualified. The main opposition boycotted the process citing political manoeuvering.

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Japanese city gets its first ever female politician

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Japanese city gets its first ever female politician

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Misuzu Ikeda becomes first assemblywoman in Tarumizu as record numbers of women elected nationwide.

Misuzu Ikeda has struck a rare blow for Japanese women in politics by becoming the first female candidate to be elected to the local assembly in the southern city of Tarumizu.

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Misuzu Ikeda becomes first assemblywoman in Tarumizu as record numbers of women elected nationwide.

Misuzu Ikeda has struck a rare blow for Japanese women in politics by becoming the first female candidate to be elected to the local assembly in the southern city of Tarumizu.

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