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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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Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women

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October 3, 2018

Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women

In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences analyses the issue of violence against women in politics, including in parliament and elections, and outlines her conclusion and recommendations on p

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In the present report, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences analyses the issue of violence against women in politics, including in parliament and elections, and outlines her conclusion and recommendations on p

October 2, 2018
NGO seeks to end violence against women in politics in Nigeria

The Executive Director of Hope for Family Development Initiative(HFDI), Mr Aremu Stephen has called for an end to violence against women in politics.

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Fury is a political weapon. And women need to wield it

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October 2, 2018

Fury is a political weapon. And women need to wield it

By Rebecca Traister,

What the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh showed us about who gets to be angry in public.

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By Rebecca Traister,

What the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh showed us about who gets to be angry in public.

Four colored girls who have considered politics: Enter the halls of power. America needs us

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October 2, 2018

Four colored girls who have considered politics: Enter the halls of power. America needs us

By Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore, political activists and co-authors of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics," coming Oct. 2.

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By Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore, political activists and co-authors of "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics," coming Oct. 2.

Violence against women in politics: Expert group meeting report and recommendations

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October 2, 2018

Violence against women in politics: Expert group meeting report and recommendations

UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences (Special Rapporteur), in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Nation

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UN Women, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR), and the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences (Special Rapporteur), in collaboration with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Nation

It's time to address sexual violence in political institutions in Canada

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October 1, 2018

It's time to address sexual violence in political institutions in Canada

Young women are entering political institutions at high rates; however, this does not translate into the number of women candidates, elected officials, or in senior leadership within political institutions.

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Young women are entering political institutions at high rates; however, this does not translate into the number of women candidates, elected officials, or in senior leadership within political institutions.

Gender Responsive Assemblies Toolkit

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September 28, 2018

Gender Responsive Assemblies Toolkit

The Gender-Responsive Assembly Toolkit is intended for all actors that drive change within organizations, including Director-/Secretary-Generals, Secretariats, Member States, civil society and staff.

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The Gender-Responsive Assembly Toolkit is intended for all actors that drive change within organizations, including Director-/Secretary-Generals, Secretariats, Member States, civil society and staff.

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