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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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September 12, 2018
In the words of Nabila Musleh: “Women and men must benefit equally from government funding, instead of one benefitting at the cost of the other”

Nabila Musleh, Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs, has worked to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment and human rights in Afghanistan for more than 10 years. From 11-16 August, Ms.

September 11, 2018
Fighting sexual harassment helps women rise, says Canadian PM

TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says movements such as Me Too play a role in changing a workplace culture that often keeps women from top-level positions.

September 10, 2018
Women parliamentarians from around the world meet in Dublin

Over 90 women parliamentarians from around the world, as well as members of Irish civil society groups, women in sport and in business have gathered at Dublin Castle for the first International Congress of Women's Caucuses.

September 10, 2018
Ireland: Women in politics will be key measure of gender equality

"The proportion of women in national parliaments will be a key measure of success in achieving gender equality and would spur, in turn, further progress”, President Michael D Higgins has said.

September 6, 2018
In 2018, black women like Ayanna Pressley are fighting for political power — and winning

Ayanna Pressley pulled off an unexpected victory on Tuesday in the Democratic congressional primary in Massachusetts’s Seventh District, beating 10-term incumbent Rep. Michael Capuano with 59 percent of the vote.

Will toxic politics stem the surge in women candidates?

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August 31, 2018

Will toxic politics stem the surge in women candidates?

When Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election, it sparked a surge of female candidates. According to Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics, nearly 500 women initially filed to run for the U.S.

When Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 presidential election, it sparked a surge of female candidates. According to Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics, nearly 500 women initially filed to run for the U.S.

Video: The year of the woman in politics

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August 31, 2018

Video: The year of the woman in politics

A record-breaking number of women are running for office in 2018. CNN's Brooke Baldwin hits the trail with some of the women looking to make history, gaining unprecedented access and behind-the-scenes coverage of a historical election cycle.

A record-breaking number of women are running for office in 2018. CNN's Brooke Baldwin hits the trail with some of the women looking to make history, gaining unprecedented access and behind-the-scenes coverage of a historical election cycle.

How to celebrate a complicated win for women

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August 31, 2018

How to celebrate a complicated win for women

There’s a historical haze confounding plans to observe the coming 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

There’s a historical haze confounding plans to observe the coming 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.

August 31, 2018
Cynthia Nixon asked to turn down the AC. It isn’t silly. It’s symbolic

On Tuesday, New York gubernatorial candidate Cynthia Nixon made a request that seemed both trivial and audacious. For an upcoming Democratic primary debate with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, she wanted the thermostat set to 76 degrees.