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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 in politics: local and European trends

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January 20, 2022

Women in politics: local and European trends

The primary objective of this 2019 CEMR study on women in politics is to evaluate the progression of women’s representation in decision-making over a ten-year period and to present an overview of the current situation.

The primary objective of this 2019 CEMR study on women in politics is to evaluate the progression of women’s representation in decision-making over a ten-year period and to present an overview of the current situation.

Women’s political participation and representation - Training Manual

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January 19, 2022

Women’s political participation and representation - Training Manual

This Handbook has been developed as publication by register of Political Parties with support from the Papua New Guinea Election Commission and the United Nations Development Programme in Papua New Guinea.

This Handbook has been developed as publication by register of Political Parties with support from the Papua New Guinea Election Commission and the United Nations Development Programme in Papua New Guinea.

POLITICO women rule: 2021 rewind and 2022 forecast

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January 18, 2022

POLITICO women rule: 2021 rewind and 2022 forecast

Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year, including passage of President Biden's $1.85 trillion social services package that will provide child care subsidies, free pre-K, paid family leave and an

Congress is sprinting to get through a lengthy and challenging legislative to-do list before the end of the year, including passage of President Biden's $1.85 trillion social services package that will provide child care subsidies, free pre-K, paid family leave and an

January 18, 2022
Afghanistan: women launch protest for equal space in all sectors including politics

In order to pressurise the Taliban to allow space for women in the Ministry of Women's Affairs, hundreds of female protestors took to the streets in Afghan national capital, Kabul, on Monday.

Attacks on Women in Politics Are on the Rise Around the World

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January 17, 2022

Attacks on Women in Politics Are on the Rise Around the World

Amid a well-documented deluge of online abuse, new data and research from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) show that physical violence targeting women in politics is also increasing in most regions of the world, creating additional—and at t

Amid a well-documented deluge of online abuse, new data and research from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) show that physical violence targeting women in politics is also increasing in most regions of the world, creating additional—and at t

January 17, 2022
‘We are struggling’: two former officials at Afghan women’s affairs ministry

Gul Bano* and Karima* are activists who ran provincial branches of the ministry of women’s affairs in two different parts of Afghanistan.

The decision to run: uncovering the barriers and motivators for LGBTQ women running for office

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January 14, 2022

The decision to run: uncovering the barriers and motivators for LGBTQ women running for office

LGBTQ Victory Institute’s The Decision to Run Report set out to uncover the barriers and motivators for LGBTQ women who want to run for office.

LGBTQ Victory Institute’s The Decision to Run Report set out to uncover the barriers and motivators for LGBTQ women who want to run for office.

Anti-corruption and gender: the role of women’s political participation

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January 13, 2022

Anti-corruption and gender: the role of women’s political participation

This policy brief shows that while much remains to be explored, there are clear links between anti-corruption and women's political participation that are important to understand for politicians, anti-corruption advocates, and those working on increasing women’s repre

This policy brief shows that while much remains to be explored, there are clear links between anti-corruption and women's political participation that are important to understand for politicians, anti-corruption advocates, and those working on increasing women’s repre

January 12, 2022
Are we there yet? In Ireland, the Good Information project focuses on gender equality

Just before Christmas, a government report highlighted that over half of the Irish population believes the most important role for a woman is to take care of her home and family. The most important role for a man, according to a significant proportion of the popu