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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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World News

Not just "pretty faces": Thai women on barriers to success in politics

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Not just "pretty faces": Thai women on barriers to success in politics

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Thailand’s political glass ceiling is reinforced by notions of what’s appropriate, what’s feasible and what are traditional roles in society, according to three women politicians.

Thailand’s political glass ceiling is reinforced by notions of what’s appropriate, what’s feasible and what are traditional roles in society, according to three women politicians.

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Rise of the 'strongman': Dozens of female world leaders warn women's rights being eroded

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Rise of the 'strongman': Dozens of female world leaders warn women's rights being eroded

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Open-letter signatory Susana Malcorra says women ‘need to be very prepared to fight back’ amid global political shift.

Open-letter signatory Susana Malcorra says women ‘need to be very prepared to fight back’ amid global political shift.

Quotas and affirmative action in politics is ‘not good for women’: Bishop

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February 21, 2019

Quotas and affirmative action in politics is ‘not good for women’: Bishop

Former speaker and Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop says quotas and affirmative action in politics is ‘not good for women’ because they ‘become a permanent second-class citizen.

Former speaker and Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop says quotas and affirmative action in politics is ‘not good for women’ because they ‘become a permanent second-class citizen.

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Julie Bishop Quits Australian Politics, Adding to Exodus of Conservative Women

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Julie Bishop Quits Australian Politics, Adding to Exodus of Conservative Women

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SYDNEY, Australia — Julie Bishop, the popular former Australian foreign minister, said Thursday that she would not run in coming federal elections, adding to the conservative government’s already-bleak image as a place that is inhospitable to women.

SYDNEY, Australia — Julie Bishop, the popular former Australian foreign minister, said Thursday that she would not run in coming federal elections, adding to the conservative government’s already-bleak image as a place that is inhospitable to women.

Women in politics are just politicians. They are not saris, jackets, or a particular kind of laughter

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February 21, 2019

Women in politics are just politicians. They are not saris, jackets, or a particular kind of laughter

By Naghma Sahar,

After the death of veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, I had the chance to meet his companion and fellow politician, Jaya Jaitly.

By Naghma Sahar,

After the death of veteran socialist leader George Fernandes, I had the chance to meet his companion and fellow politician, Jaya Jaitly.

World News

Afghan women 'too emotional' for leadership and have enough rights, domestic survey claims

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Afghan women 'too emotional' for leadership and have enough rights, domestic survey claims

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Afghan men strongly oppose giving women more freedom — two in three think they have too much already — and young men are even more reluctant than their elders, according to a new survey released this week.

Key points:

Afghan men strongly oppose giving women more freedom — two in three think they have too much already — and young men are even more reluctant than their elders, according to a new survey released this week.

Key points:

How growing number of women in politics is shaping perceptions of power, strength

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February 20, 2019

How growing number of women in politics is shaping perceptions of power, strength

There are more women than ever serving in Congress right now.

And there are more women running for president in 2020 than ever before.

There are more women than ever serving in Congress right now.

And there are more women running for president in 2020 than ever before.

World News

Arab world's first female interior minister hails 'point of pride for women

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Arab world's first female interior minister hails 'point of pride for women

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The Arab world’s first female interior minister has hailed her appointment as a “point of pride for all women”.

Raya al-Hassan is one of four women to take cabinet jobs in the new Lebanese government, a record for the country and three more than in the last government, in which even the minister for women was a man.

The Arab world’s first female interior minister has hailed her appointment as a “point of pride for all women”.

Raya al-Hassan is one of four women to take cabinet jobs in the new Lebanese government, a record for the country and three more than in the last government, in which even the minister for women was a man.

World News

Taking the seat and the table, too: what valuing black women in politics looks like

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Taking the seat and the table, too: what valuing black women in politics looks like

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In a posh ballroom overlooking Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a hushed roomful of state and local elected officials from across the country gathered for a 9 a.m. Sunday session. It was the sort of weekend conference that routinely fills banquet rooms across the country, but it was remarkable for one simple fact: Every single official in attendance was a young woman.

In a posh ballroom overlooking Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a hushed roomful of state and local elected officials from across the country gathered for a 9 a.m. Sunday session. It was the sort of weekend conference that routinely fills banquet rooms across the country, but it was remarkable for one simple fact: Every single official in attendance was a young woman.