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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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November 9, 2020
Meet the women in politics who paved the way for Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris crashed through one of the highest of American glass ceilings on Saturday, becoming the first woman elected vice president of the United States. She will serve alongside President-elect Joe Biden.

What election of Kamala Harris means to future of women in politics

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November 9, 2020

What election of Kamala Harris means to future of women in politics

When the networks declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential race, it was a history making moment for both the president-elect and his running mate Kamala Harris, whose election broke multiple barriers.

When the networks declared Joe Biden the winner of the 2020 presidential race, it was a history making moment for both the president-elect and his running mate Kamala Harris, whose election broke multiple barriers.

November 7, 2020
Kamala Harris: The many identities of the first woman vice-president

Kamala Harris savoured the moment she became the first woman, and the first black and Asian American, to be vice-president-elect, with a very hearty laugh.

Interviews

Women want an answer! Field experiments on elected officials and gender bias

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November 6, 2020

Women want an answer! Field experiments on elected officials and gender bias

Are elected officials more responsive to men than women inquiring about access to government services? Women face discrimination in many realms of politics, but evidence is limited on whether such discrimination extends to interactions between women and elected officials.

Are elected officials more responsive to men than women inquiring about access to government services? Women face discrimination in many realms of politics, but evidence is limited on whether such discrimination extends to interactions between women and elected officials.

November 6, 2020
1 in 3 women parliamentary candidates face cyberbullying in Jordan

One in three women candidates running for the upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for November 10, said that they were subjected to cyberbullying, a local study revealed on Thursday.

Mixed 2020 election results show that women still face a sexist political culture

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November 6, 2020

Mixed 2020 election results show that women still face a sexist political culture

In 2020 — for the second straight election cycle and 100 years after the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women suffrage — the number of women running for Congress set a record and mor

In 2020 — for the second straight election cycle and 100 years after the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution granting women suffrage — the number of women running for Congress set a record and mor

A groundbreaking election for women in Congress?

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November 6, 2020

A groundbreaking election for women in Congress?

Women across the United States made several gains in this week’s election, producing a string of firsts down the ballot and nudging up representation in both the House and the Senate.

Women across the United States made several gains in this week’s election, producing a string of firsts down the ballot and nudging up representation in both the House and the Senate.

November 6, 2020
Mauree Turner is the first nonbinary state legislator and first Muslim Oklahoma lawmaker

Mauree Turner won her race for Oklahoma state House for District 88 on Tuesday, becoming the first nonbinary state legislator in US history and first Muslim lawmaker in Oklahoma.