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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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June 17, 2019
Kenya MP arrested 'for slapping female colleague'

A Kenyan MP has been arrested for allegedly slapping a female colleague because she did not allocate money to his constituency.

June 14, 2019
UN Women Liberia push for 30% participation in politics

As Liberian prepared to cast their votes in the Montserrado’s Representative and Senatorial by-elections, the UN Women has recently engaged stakeholders to give serious consideration to women leadership and political participation in politics.

June 14, 2019
Three out of four Greeks believe the country needs more women in politics

A recent survey conducted by Greece‘s Research Center for Gender Equality (KETHI) in April found that 72 percent of Greeks believe that the country needs more women in politics, and their reluctanc

June 14, 2019
Canada’s first Ambassador for women, peace & security

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada has said that when women play an active role in conflict prevention and peace building, and when their rights are respected, we are better able to achieve long-term, sustainable peace.

e-Discussions

It’s time for women in politics to adopt the strategy of their opponents

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June 12, 2019

It’s time for women in politics to adopt the strategy of their opponents

By Ana Stevenson,

For more than a century, the same tactics and tropes have been used against women in politics. Now they must turn the tables.

By Ana Stevenson,

For more than a century, the same tactics and tropes have been used against women in politics. Now they must turn the tables.

June 10, 2019
Scottish Parliament campaign launched to get more women to becomes MSPs

A major Holyrood drive has been unveiled aimed at getting more women to become MSPs after numbers stalled in recent years.

Women take on challenges and win

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June 10, 2019

Women take on challenges and win

She was the daughter of a barber and grew up in a New England mill town. In an effort to save for a college education, she began working for wages at the age of 13; it was not enough.

She was the daughter of a barber and grew up in a New England mill town. In an effort to save for a college education, she began working for wages at the age of 13; it was not enough.