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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Podcast series: Women in politics in PNG

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May 18, 2022

Podcast series: Women in politics in PNG

In this special Women in Politics series for the Australia-PNG Network, the Lowy Institute's Jessica Collins sits down with prominent women from Papua New Guinea to discuss the deep-seated challenge of wom

Women in power across Europe

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May 18, 2022

Women in power across Europe

PARIS (AFP) - Elisabeth Borne, a 61-year-old engineer, was named French prime minister on Monday (May 16), becoming only the second woman

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Elisabeth Borne: Who is France's new prime minister and what's on her to-do list?

Submitted by Editor on Tue, 05/17/2022 - 03:19

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Elisabeth Borne: Who is France's new prime minister and what's on her to-do list?

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Centrist politician Elisabeth Borne was appointed France’s new prime minister on Monday, becoming the second woman to hold the post in the country.

Borne, 61, who was labour minister in the previous government, succeeds Jean Castex, who resigned earlier in the day.

Centrist politician Elisabeth Borne was appointed France’s new prime minister on Monday, becoming the second woman to hold the post in the country.

Borne, 61, who was labour minister in the previous government, succeeds Jean Castex, who resigned earlier in the day.

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Hungary’s first female President Katalin Novak takes office

Submitted by Editor on Fri, 05/13/2022 - 08:57

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Hungary’s first female President Katalin Novak takes office

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Katalin Novak, the first female president of Hungary, took office here on Tuesday. Her predecessor, former head of state Janos Ader, greeted the new president at the entrance to the Sandor Palace, the residence of the Hungarian president.

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USA: Senate confirms Lisa Cook to be the first black woman on Fed board

Submitted by Editor on Wed, 05/11/2022 - 04:35

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USA: Senate confirms Lisa Cook to be the first black woman on Fed board

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(CNN)-The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Lisa Cook to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, becoming the first African American woman to be a member of the panel.

The final vote was 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie.

All Republicans opposed Cook, with several complaining that she is not qualified for the position, despite having a doctorate in economics and being a professor at Michigan State University.

(CNN)-The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Lisa Cook to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, becoming the first African American woman to be a member of the panel.

The final vote was 51-50 with Vice President Kamala Harris breaking the tie.

All Republicans opposed Cook, with several complaining that she is not qualified for the position, despite having a doctorate in economics and being a professor at Michigan State University.

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Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the first black and out LGBTQ person in the role

Submitted by Editor on Mon, 05/09/2022 - 08:48

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Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the first black and out LGBTQ person in the role

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(CNN) Karine Jean-Pierre will become the new White House press secretary when Jen Psaki departs her role next week, President Joe Biden announced in a statement Thursday, becoming the first Black and out LGBTQ person to hold the position.

Jean-Pierre currently serves as the White House's principal deputy press secretary.

Karine Jean-Pierre to become White House press secretary, the first black and out LGBTQ person in the role - CNN

Jean-Pierre currently serves as the White House's principal deputy press secretary.

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Somalia: Women struggle to make their voices heard in politics

Submitted by Editor on Thu, 04/21/2022 - 05:27

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Somalia: Women struggle to make their voices heard in politics

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Although Somalia now has a quota system for female lawmakers, women are frequently held back from pursuing leadership roles due to pervasive cultural and social barriers.

It's not easy being a female politician in conflict-ridden Somalia.

Men have long dominated national and local leadership roles in the Horn of Africa nation, largely due to deeply ingrained traditional prejudices.

Women are a minority in Somalia's parliament - DW

Although Somalia now has a quota system for female lawmakers, women are frequently held back from pursuing leadership roles due to pervasive cultural and social barriers.

It's not easy being a female politician in conflict-ridden Somalia.

Men have long dominated national and local leadership roles in the Horn of Africa nation, largely due to deeply ingrained traditional prejudices.

Climate justice requires women’s leadership

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April 21, 2022

Climate justice requires women’s leadership

Only a third of leadership positions in climate-change negotiations are held by women, even though women are the most vulnerable to the worst effects of global warming.