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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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What Joe Biden can learn from Jacinda Ardern

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October 28, 2020

What Joe Biden can learn from Jacinda Ardern

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern accepted her landslide reelection win Saturday with a message for her cou

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New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern accepted her landslide reelection win Saturday with a message for her cou

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Who was Victoria Woodhull? Meet the first woman to run for president of the United States

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Who was Victoria Woodhull? Meet the first woman to run for president of the United States

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The first woman to run for president of the United States was unable to vote, too young to be elected, ignored by her chosen running mate, and ultimately thrown into prison on election day.

Yet Victoria Woodhull, a thrice-married mother of two, was not someone to be easily dissuaded.

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The first woman to run for president of the United States was unable to vote, too young to be elected, ignored by her chosen running mate, and ultimately thrown into prison on election day.

Yet Victoria Woodhull, a thrice-married mother of two, was not someone to be easily dissuaded.

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Tanzania: Encourage women to take leadership roles

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Tanzania: Encourage women to take leadership roles

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Traditional and religious leaders have been advised to take the leading role in ensuring that more women in their communities participate in the political process and leadership positions in Tanzania.

The call was made over the weekend in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania Media Women's Association (TAMWA) Executive Director, Dr Rose Reuben during a meeting with religious and traditional leaders from 17 regions of Tanzania.

Dr Reuben said religious and traditional leaders are gatekeepers of certain traditions as well as norms that are drivers of gender inequality.

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Traditional and religious leaders have been advised to take the leading role in ensuring that more women in their communities participate in the political process and leadership positions in Tanzania.

The call was made over the weekend in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania Media Women's Association (TAMWA) Executive Director, Dr Rose Reuben during a meeting with religious and traditional leaders from 17 regions of Tanzania.

Dr Reuben said religious and traditional leaders are gatekeepers of certain traditions as well as norms that are drivers of gender inequality.

How sexist abuse of women in Congress amounts to political violence – and undermines American democracy

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October 26, 2020

How sexist abuse of women in Congress amounts to political violence – and undermines American democracy

From plans to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s being called a “f—ing b—” by her colleague Rep.

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From plans to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s being called a “f—ing b—” by her colleague Rep.

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Next Serb government among most gender-balanced in the world

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Next Serb government among most gender-balanced in the world

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Serbia’s proposed new-look government is among the world’s most gender balanced, with women named to half of ministerial posts.

The lineup, announced Sunday, propels the Balkan country to the brink of the global top 10 for gender equality -- an issue that has typically been higher on the agenda of western European countries. Still, critics say that even with the appointments, President Aleksandar Vucic will call all the shots and women remain under-represented in local politics.

Serbia was already something of an outlier.

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Serbia’s proposed new-look government is among the world’s most gender balanced, with women named to half of ministerial posts.

The lineup, announced Sunday, propels the Balkan country to the brink of the global top 10 for gender equality -- an issue that has typically been higher on the agenda of western European countries. Still, critics say that even with the appointments, President Aleksandar Vucic will call all the shots and women remain under-represented in local politics.

Serbia was already something of an outlier.

“Record” numbers of women are running for office in th US, but they still face structural barriers in politics

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October 26, 2020

“Record” numbers of women are running for office in th US, but they still face structural barriers in politics

Twenty-five years ago, leaders and organizers from around the world rallied behind Hillary Clinton’s declaration that “women’s rights are human rights, and hu

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Twenty-five years ago, leaders and organizers from around the world rallied behind Hillary Clinton’s declaration that “women’s rights are human rights, and hu

Japan has so few women politicians that when even one is gaffe-prone, it's damaging

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October 26, 2020

Japan has so few women politicians that when even one is gaffe-prone, it's damaging

Last month, Japanese lawmaker Mio Sugita caused outrage on social media when she said that some women lie about sexual assaults.

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Last month, Japanese lawmaker Mio Sugita caused outrage on social media when she said that some women lie about sexual assaults.

6 things we can learn from how women leaders have handled the pandemic

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October 26, 2020

6 things we can learn from how women leaders have handled the pandemic

Times of crisis can foster innovation and illumination.

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Times of crisis can foster innovation and illumination.

A record number of indigenous women are running for office this year

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October 26, 2020

A record number of indigenous women are running for office this year

A report from the Center for American Women and Politics states that, in 2020, 18 Native American women—nine Democrats and nine Republicans—will have run as congressional candi

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A report from the Center for American Women and Politics states that, in 2020, 18 Native American women—nine Democrats and nine Republicans—will have run as congressional candi

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