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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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Clear perceptual barriers’ that prevent women from entering politics: study

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November 23, 2018

Clear perceptual barriers’ that prevent women from entering politics: study

David Coletto of Abacus Data revealed key findings of the latest research study that surveyed women’s participation in politics, finding alarming but “not surprising” results on the gender disparity of engagement and political participation between m

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David Coletto of Abacus Data revealed key findings of the latest research study that surveyed women’s participation in politics, finding alarming but “not surprising” results on the gender disparity of engagement and political participation between m

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‘It’s changed me forever’: Here’s how women fueled a political shift in Mecklenburg

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‘It’s changed me forever’: Here’s how women fueled a political shift in Mecklenburg

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Tuesday’s recount that ratified the election of Democrat Rachel Hunt to the North Carolina House underscored the success not only of female candidates but of the women who helped elect them.

Hunt, who defeated Republican Rep. Bill Brawley by 68 votes, will be one of 45 women in the 170-member General Assembly — the most in a decade.

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Tuesday’s recount that ratified the election of Democrat Rachel Hunt to the North Carolina House underscored the success not only of female candidates but of the women who helped elect them.

Hunt, who defeated Republican Rep. Bill Brawley by 68 votes, will be one of 45 women in the 170-member General Assembly — the most in a decade.

World News

Abuse and sexism: Female MPs discuss barriers to women in politics

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Abuse and sexism: Female MPs discuss barriers to women in politics

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Abuse, sexism and a lack of equality remain barriers to women looking to stand for election, according to a cross-party parliamentary panel.

Dozens of MPs pulled no punches in expressing how tough it still is for women to get into parliament as they invited their constituents to parliament to mark 100 years since the Qualification of Women Act.

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Abuse, sexism and a lack of equality remain barriers to women looking to stand for election, according to a cross-party parliamentary panel.

Dozens of MPs pulled no punches in expressing how tough it still is for women to get into parliament as they invited their constituents to parliament to mark 100 years since the Qualification of Women Act.

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‘We have to raise the level of women's participation in political life’ – caretaker FM says at World Democracy Forum

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‘We have to raise the level of women's participation in political life’ – caretaker FM says at World Democracy Forum

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s caretaker foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has delivered remarks at the Plenary Session of World Democracy Forum “Women, security and democratization in the context of multilateralism”.

Below is the transcript of the full speech of Mnatsakanyan, as reported by the foreign ministry. 

“Mr. President,

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s caretaker foreign minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan has delivered remarks at the Plenary Session of World Democracy Forum “Women, security and democratization in the context of multilateralism”.

Below is the transcript of the full speech of Mnatsakanyan, as reported by the foreign ministry. 

“Mr. President,

World News

Young women set their sights on closing the gender gap in Liberia

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Young women set their sights on closing the gender gap in Liberia

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In 2005, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first elected female head of state in Africa, marking a milestone for the country and the continent. Although a woman occupied the highest elected office for twelve years, Liberian women continue to struggle to obtain leadership roles in politics.

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In 2005, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the first elected female head of state in Africa, marking a milestone for the country and the continent. Although a woman occupied the highest elected office for twelve years, Liberian women continue to struggle to obtain leadership roles in politics.

World News

'A woman's place is in elected office', Theresa May tells politicians

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'A woman's place is in elected office', Theresa May tells politicians

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Theresa May told a gathering of female politicians from around the world that “a woman’s place is in elected office” as she urged them to work together to make sure their voices were heard.

The British prime minister admitted that getting the political system to work in a male-dominated environment was “never easy” but warned that less representative parliaments operated with “one hand tied behind their backs”.

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Theresa May told a gathering of female politicians from around the world that “a woman’s place is in elected office” as she urged them to work together to make sure their voices were heard.

The British prime minister admitted that getting the political system to work in a male-dominated environment was “never easy” but warned that less representative parliaments operated with “one hand tied behind their backs”.

World News

Politics and science need more women, says Angela Merkel

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Politics and science need more women, says Angela Merkel

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The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has said that her role as the most powerful woman in Germany should not let society off the hook for the small proportion of women in politics.

As Germany marked the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, Merkel said in a speech in Berlin that there was a lot still to do to achieve gender equality, notably in the worlds of politics, business, science and culture.

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The German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has said that her role as the most powerful woman in Germany should not let society off the hook for the small proportion of women in politics.

As Germany marked the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, Merkel said in a speech in Berlin that there was a lot still to do to achieve gender equality, notably in the worlds of politics, business, science and culture.

Violence against women in politics: A rising global trend

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November 19, 2018

Violence against women in politics: A rising global trend

Recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in reports of assault, intimidation, and abuse directed at politically active women.

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Recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in reports of assault, intimidation, and abuse directed at politically active women.

The law and violence against women in politics

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November 19, 2018

The law and violence against women in politics

Latin America has been at the vanguard in implementing diverse strategies to combat violence against women in politics (VAWIP). In 2012, Bolivia became the first country to criminalize “political violence and harassment against women” with Law 243.

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Latin America has been at the vanguard in implementing diverse strategies to combat violence against women in politics (VAWIP). In 2012, Bolivia became the first country to criminalize “political violence and harassment against women” with Law 243.

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