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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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https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/how-womens-first-national-vote-in-italy-forged-a-republic.html
June 5, 2026
How women’s first national vote in Italy forged a Republic

80 years ago, a landmark referendum empowered women in Italy and led to the birth of the Italian Republic.

Women in Politics: Don’t Wait for Somebody, Be Somebody

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June 5, 2026

Women in Politics: Don’t Wait for Somebody, Be Somebody

This October, Golden, along with the rest of British Columbia, will head to the polls. Residents will vote for mayor, town councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.

This October, Golden, along with the rest of British Columbia, will head to the polls. Residents will vote for mayor, town councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.

https://msmagazine.com/2026/05/21/women-war-politics-ukraine-afghanistan-lebanon-haiti-iran-gaza-palestine-israel/
June 1, 2026
Ms. Global: From Ukraine to Lebanon to Sudan, Women Are Bearing the Brunt of Escalating Global Conflict

Around the world, escalating armed conflict, political repression and humanitarian collapse are reshaping daily life for women and girls—often with devastating consequences.

https://www.ips-journal.eu/topics/democracy-and-society/the-last-woman-standing-9064/
June 1, 2026
The last woman standing

Over the past two decades, Turkey has undergone a profound authoritarian transformation.

https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200055348/from-australia-to-southern-africa-champion-shares-blueprint-for-advancing-women-in-politics
June 1, 2026
From Australia to Southern Africa: Champion shares blueprint for advancing women in politics

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA -Australian women’s political leadership advocate Leonie Morgan AM, has urged countries in Southern Africa to invest in mentorship, financial support, training and women’s networks to accelerate female political participation and leadership.

June 1, 2026
Women leaders want more than a quota

PETALING JAYA: The debate on the 30% quota for women’s political representation has gone on long enough. What is needed is a strong pipeline to produce many capable female leaders, say women politicians across party lines.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c202p14qwr5o
June 1, 2026
India's fiercest female politician faces a fight for survival

For 15 years, Mamata Banerjee and her regional Trinamool Congress (TMC) party seemed to embody a political law of India's West Bengal state: they always found a way to survive.

On Monday, that ended.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaaction/insight-and-impact/csw-reflections-women-public-life
June 1, 2026
The new frontline for women and truth in the age of AI

Women who enter public life, including journalists, activists and those in politics, have always understood that visibility comes at a cost.