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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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UN Women
October 7, 2024
Men champions of Nguruman: Advancing women's leadership in Kajiado County

In the remote yet strikingly beautiful Nguruman Escarpment of Kajiado County, Kenya, a transformative initiative is unfolding.

the latin times
October 6, 2024
Meet the Women Leading Mexico: A New Era of Female Leadership Transforms the Political Landscape

Claudia Sheinbaum leads a groundbreaking team of women in Mexico's government, achieving significant gender parity in leadership roles across the country.

About a third of UN member states have ever had a woman leader

Back
October 4, 2024

About a third of UN member states have ever had a woman leader

Women currently serve as the head of government in just 13 of the 193 member states of the United Nations.

Women currently serve as the head of government in just 13 of the 193 member states of the United Nations.

bbc
October 3, 2024
Mexico's first female president vows 'it's time for women'

The passing of the presidential sash every six years is always an important and symbolic occasion in Mexico.

washington Post
October 2, 2024
It isn’t only Sheinbaum. Meet the women who run Mexico.

MEXICO CITY — Mexico inaugurated its first female president on Tuesday, reaching the milestone before its northern neighbor.

UN Women
September 27, 2024
UN Women Leaders Network to convene a diverse group of women leaders worldwide to advance women’s rights and leadership

Launched during the 79th session of UN General Assembly, the UN Women Leaders Network unites a global intergenerational and intersectional group of women leaders advocating for gender-equal participation in leadership and decision-making.

Time
September 27, 2024
What to Know About Japan’s LDP Election—and the Possibility of a First Female Prime Minister

When Japan’s ruling political party, the Li

The Guradian Nigeria
September 27, 2024
Politics of women’s discrimination and underrepresentation

On March 14, 2024, rural women from communities in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria expressed concerns over women’s low inclusion in politics.