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.
ZIMBABWE’S first ever women’s political leadership school was on Friday launched in Masvingo under the name, Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence (Walpe).
Salome Zurabishvili was sworn-in as the new President of Georgia on 16 December at an inauguration ceremony in Telavi. Many foreign media outlets focused on the fact she is Georgia’s first female president.
The President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Gabriela Cuevas Barron praised Qatari legislation that ensures the rights of Qatari women and enables them to reach leading posts in all fields.
Diversity is good for consumers and businesses — it leads to better decision making in all organizations. Studies have found that corporations with diverse boards and management teams are more profitable and better governed.
Michelle Ciccolo earned a Gender, Leadership, and Public Policy graduate certificate in 1991 and a Master of Public Administration degree (MPA) in 1995 at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies.
By Aleksandra Gadzala, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Africa Center; CEO Magpie Advisory, Atlantic Council.
Women representation in Indian politics has always been a cause of concern. Despite being accountable for 49% of the country’s population, their representation in political participation is extremely poor.
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A century after Britain’s first election in which women voted and stood for parliament, female activists called on Friday for further reform to achieve equality amid abuse and prejudice.
When Ayanna Pressley heads to Congress in January, the newly elected Massachusetts representative will work from the same office that Shirley Chisholm once occupied decades ago.