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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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Women MPs at the 144th IPU Assembly in Madrid 2021 (Picture IPU)
September 30, 2022
Generation Equality: IPU milestones one year on

The IPU has made bold commitments and taken steps towards ensuring women and girls’ voices are heard in decision-making, and that young women are politically empowered.

UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025

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September 28, 2022

UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025

UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, aligned with its Strategic Plan, guides UNDP in its efforts to assist countries in accelerating progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women over the next four years.

UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy 2022-2025, aligned with its Strategic Plan, guides UNDP in its efforts to assist countries in accelerating progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women over the next four years.

Yemen: Female politicians targeted on social media

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September 27, 2022

Yemen: Female politicians targeted on social media

With more than two hundred thousand followers on Facebook and about 54 thousand followers on Twitter, I am one of the most prominent Yemeni politicians on the ground and online.

With more than two hundred thousand followers on Facebook and about 54 thousand followers on Twitter, I am one of the most prominent Yemeni politicians on the ground and online.

Gender and race differences in mayors’ experiences of violence

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September 27, 2022

Gender and race differences in mayors’ experiences of violence

After national news coverage of a COVID-19 mask requirement controversy in Dodge City, Kansas in December of 2020, Mayor Joyce Warshaw received numerous threats 

After national news coverage of a COVID-19 mask requirement controversy in Dodge City, Kansas in December of 2020, Mayor Joyce Warshaw received numerous threats 

September 22, 2022
South Sudan: Taking steps towards the inclusion of women in peace-building

In South Sudan, Africa's youngest nation, women's political participation remains low when there are calls to have

UNDP launches ambitious plan to speed up progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment (Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan)
September 16, 2022
UNDP launches ambitious plan to speed up progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment

The new strategy puts gender equality at the heart of UNDP’s efforts to expand people’s choices and to realize a just and sustainable world.

September 16, 2022
UAE aims for greater political empowerment of Emirati women

Country on target towards 50% female representation in Federal National Council.

September 13, 2022
Paraguay: Political training school for women leaders earns award by the global network on electoral justice

The women’s training programme, led by the national Electoral Management Body in cooperation with International IDEA, earned an Honorable Mention in the Gender Equality category in the first edit