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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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Front Page Africa
January 8, 2024
Liberia: national democratic institute and international women’s media foundation breaks silence to unearth all forms of violence suffered by women in politics

Amidst the global struggle against gender-based violence, the plight of women in politics battling this pervasive issue remains alarmingly prevalent in Liberia.

The Zimbabwean
January 8, 2024
Political space is shrinking, but even worse for women

This is despite guarantees of equality as provided for in the constitution of Zimbabwe, chapter 4 part 3 section (80) (1), which states: “Every woman has the full and equal dignity of the person with men and this includes equal opportunities in political, economic and s

The Irish Sun
December 29, 2023
Online abuse of female politicians is becoming more extreme and is discouraging woman from entering politics

Online abuse of female politicians is becoming more extreme and is having an impact in discouraging prospective female candidates.

IRELAND does not have enough women in political life.

Hindustan Times
December 18, 2023
Women's power surges in political landscape

The real testimony to women’s political rights will come when they hold significant positions of power across the political spectrum

Modern Ghana
December 15, 2023
Intimidation, lack of confidence hindering women's participation in Ghana's politics

A new report from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has shed light on some of the key barriers preventing greater women's representation in Ghana's political sphere.

DT Next
December 14, 2023
Empowering women in politics: necessity, challenges and role of education institutions

CHENNAI: Indian parliament has finally passed the historic women's reservation bill or to call it by its proper name Naari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Free Malaysia Today
December 13, 2023
Women’s political empowerment lags even as gender gap narrows

PETALING JAYA: The statistics department reported better gender equality overall in 2022, but noted a clear challenge faced in women’s political empowerment, which remains alarmingly low.

Source: BNN Breaking News
December 13, 2023
Women’s power in politics: an insight into global perspectives

In a live event discussing the impact of women’s power, or Nari Shakti, in politics, female representatives from various political parties, including Sunita Duggal, Amee Yajnik, Priyanka Chaturvedi, and Sushmita Dev, express their perspectives on the changing political

The Fiji Times
December 13, 2023
More women for local, national elections

IT’S the responsibility of political parties to ensure that more women take part in local and national elections, says Assistant Foreign Minister and Deputy Speaker Lenora Qereqeretabua.