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.
A trio of high-profile leaders — Cecile Richards, Alicia Garza, Ai-jen Poo — introduce Supermajority, a group that wants to guide millions of American women toward political activism.
By Bhinder Sajan,
By Bhinder Sajan,
By Martina Fitzgerald,
By Martina Fitzgerald,
By Paul Berkowitz,
The numbers are staggering: in the last general election, nearly 2.5-million more women voted than men.
The Ak Zhol party nominated April 24 Daniya Yespayeva as its candidate for the 9 June presidential election. If confirmed by the Kazakhstan Central Election Commission, Yespayeva would be the first woman in Kazakh history to run for president.
Colorado is already seeing the tangible benefits of having more women in the legislature, including a handful of bills aimed to uproot gender inequity in the workplace.
The race between Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto might have captured most of the media attention, but tomorrow nearly 8,000 candidates will also be competing for 575 seats in the national legislature (DPR).
Although women have held powerful government positions in India, their political participation in the country has largely been curtailed by a male-dominated system. Will the ongoing general election bring about a change?