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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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October 31, 2023
Women leaders from the Arab region call for women’s participation in peacemaking through ESCWA

At a time when women around the world are lauded for their ever-growing achievements as peacemakers, the Arab region is marred by armed conflicts causing an increasing number of victims, particul

Beyond the numbers on women’s representation: recognition of women’s leadership in global governance

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October 30, 2023

Beyond the numbers on women’s representation: recognition of women’s leadership in global governance

To what extent has the glass ceiling in global governance been shattered?

To what extent has the glass ceiling in global governance been shattered?

October 27, 2023
Tulia Ackson elected new President of the IPU

Tulia Ackson of the United Republic of Tanzania has been elected as the 31st President of the IPU by the IPU’s Governing Council, its main decision-making body made up of parliamentarians from ar

October 21, 2023
Elect Her: Inspiring women in politics

Unveiling the ongoing debate surrounding women in politics

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October 17, 2023

Unveiling the ongoing debate surrounding women in politics

When discussing women’s involvement in the workforce, development projects, and policy-making, a common adage is often repeated: “The bottle is new, but the water remains

When discussing women’s involvement in the workforce, development projects, and policy-making, a common adage is often repeated: “The bottle is new, but the water remains

October 4, 2023
Healthcare advocate and former assemblymember Mary Hayashi announces the upcoming release of her new book 'Women in Politics'

In Women in Politics, award-winning author and healthcare leader Mary Hayashi offers a riveting exploration of the strides made by women in government.

Women’s times, feminist agendas?

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October 3, 2023

Women’s times, feminist agendas?

It is in this context that the candidacies of two women have been announced as possible finalists for the upcoming elections in Mexico, a significant development that has

It is in this context that the candidacies of two women have been announced as possible finalists for the upcoming elections in Mexico, a significant development that has