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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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August 17, 2018
France's gender equality Minister has already cracked down on catcalling and online abuse. She's just getting started

The first time a man stopped Marlène Schiappa and said something obscene, she was 14 years old and walking down a street in Paris’ northern 19th arrondissement. Shocked, she rushed home to her apartment and told her family. They were unsurprised.

August 17, 2018
Where are all the women in Nigerian politics?

Daring to join the male-dominated world of Nigerian politics was a tough decision for Ladi Mamman Watila, particularly in the conservative north-eastern state of Borno.

August 17, 2018
What gender-gap parity? Men still more likely to be perceived as leaders than women

Despite progress, gender gap in leadership still persists, a new study has found. 

August 16, 2018
Online rape threats, abuse and vicious attacks: The price that Indian women in politics pay for being opinionated

Though women account for over 48 percent of India’s population, the number of female parliamentarians in the country is disproportionately low (12.5 percent).

August 16, 2018
Revisiting Rwanda five years after record-breaking parliamentary elections

Five years back something historic happened. The 2013 Rwandan Parliamentary elections ushered in a record-breaking 64 per cent of seats for women candidates, making Rwanda the top country for women in politics.

Agate Report: The political participation of Armenian women with disabilities: barriers and recommendations

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August 16, 2018

Agate Report: The political participation of Armenian women with disabilities: barriers and recommendations

The Agate Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities, with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United States Agency for International Development, has published new research on the barriers to and o

The Agate Rights Defense Center for Women with Disabilities, with the support of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and the United States Agency for International Development, has published new research on the barriers to and o

August 15, 2018
Women’s Council calls for gender quotas for local election candidates

Gender quotas should be introduced next year for the local elections, the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) has said.

August 9, 2018
Michelle Bachelet of Chile nominated to be next UN Rights Commissioner

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has nominated Michelle Bachelet, a former president of Chile, to become the next UN high commissioner for human rights. The nomination has been sent to the General Assembly for approval.

August 3, 2018
PAWO seeks recognition for African women leaders

The president of the Pan African Women's Organisation (PAWO), Assetou Koite, says Africa must recognise and honour the contribution of women to the decolonisation of the continent and take action to advance gender equality.