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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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Balancing the ballot: going beyond the 2018 gender parity law to encourage women's political participation in Japan

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December 11, 2023

Balancing the ballot: going beyond the 2018 gender parity law to encourage women's political participation in Japan

Abstract: While the passage of the 2018 Gender Parity Law was a step in the right direction, progress on women’s political empowerment in Japan has been slow.

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Abstract: While the passage of the 2018 Gender Parity Law was a step in the right direction, progress on women’s political empowerment in Japan has been slow.

How Southeast Asia pioneered female leadership, and lessons for development cooperation

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December 8, 2023

How Southeast Asia pioneered female leadership, and lessons for development cooperation

Today, I’d like to reflect on why Southeast Asia stands out in the global history of gender, for pioneering female political and spiritual leadership; how job-creating economic growth, urbanisation and universities are the major contemporary drivers of gender equality;

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Today, I’d like to reflect on why Southeast Asia stands out in the global history of gender, for pioneering female political and spiritual leadership; how job-creating economic growth, urbanisation and universities are the major contemporary drivers of gender equality;

The Friday Times
December 8, 2023
Are women in India emerging as new power brokers in politics?

A noteworthy trend is emerging in Indian democracy, where women are choosing to participate in the electoral process. As the percentage of women voters rises across India, it is yet to be seen how future elections will be impacted.

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Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist

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December 1, 2023

Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for

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Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for

Courage, optimism, and action: A pathway to boost African democracies

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December 1, 2023

Courage, optimism, and action: A pathway to boost African democracies

Governance in Africa is undergoing an upheaval – the kind that is people-driven, and more recently and unfortunately, army driven

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Governance in Africa is undergoing an upheaval – the kind that is people-driven, and more recently and unfortunately, army driven

Women grab back: exclusion, policy threat, and women’s political ambition

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November 30, 2023

Women grab back: exclusion, policy threat, and women’s political ambition

Previous work suggests that observing women officeholders increases women’s political ambition.

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Previous work suggests that observing women officeholders increases women’s political ambition.

American Political Science Association
November 29, 2023
Breaking barriers: how gender quotas transform political participation

Gender quotas have successfully brought women to positions of political power. But the question remains: how and why do they influence women’s political participation, especially in societies where entrenched patriarchal norms serve as barriers, both wi

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Women and diplomacy

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November 27, 2023

Women and diplomacy

Historically, international relations have been one of the fields with the lowest female representation within the world of politics: except for a few notable exceptions, diplomacy has typically been a “man’s world” (Barrios Baron, 2020; Cengiz, 2023

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Historically, international relations have been one of the fields with the lowest female representation within the world of politics: except for a few notable exceptions, diplomacy has typically been a “man’s world” (Barrios Baron, 2020; Cengiz, 2023

Does British TV portray politically renegade women negatively?

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November 27, 2023

Does British TV portray politically renegade women negatively?

British TV features plenty of women who wield power. This is unsurprising. But what we see little of is scrutiny of how these women are presented and the associated narratives.

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British TV features plenty of women who wield power. This is unsurprising. But what we see little of is scrutiny of how these women are presented and the associated narratives.

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