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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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Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist

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December 1, 2023

Northern Ireland peace deal: Women’s role finally recognised, says activist

Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for

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Belfast, Northern Ireland – Northern Irish academic and activist Monica McWilliams says it has taken 25 years for

Courage, optimism, and action: A pathway to boost African democracies

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December 1, 2023

Courage, optimism, and action: A pathway to boost African democracies

Governance in Africa is undergoing an upheaval – the kind that is people-driven, and more recently and unfortunately, army driven

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Governance in Africa is undergoing an upheaval – the kind that is people-driven, and more recently and unfortunately, army driven

Women grab back: exclusion, policy threat, and women’s political ambition

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November 30, 2023

Women grab back: exclusion, policy threat, and women’s political ambition

Previous work suggests that observing women officeholders increases women’s political ambition.

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Previous work suggests that observing women officeholders increases women’s political ambition.

World News

Breaking barriers: how gender quotas transform political participation

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Breaking barriers: how gender quotas transform political participation

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Gender quotas have successfully brought women to positions of political power. But the question remains: how and why do they influence women’s political participation, especially in societies where entrenched patriarchal norms serve as barriers, both within political parties and households?

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American Political Science Association

Gender quotas have successfully brought women to positions of political power. But the question remains: how and why do they influence women’s political participation, especially in societies where entrenched patriarchal norms serve as barriers, both within political parties and households?

Women and diplomacy

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November 27, 2023

Women and diplomacy

Historically, international relations have been one of the fields with the lowest female representation within the world of politics: except for a few notable exceptions, diplomacy has typically been a “man’s world” (Barrios Baron, 2020; Cengiz, 2023

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Historically, international relations have been one of the fields with the lowest female representation within the world of politics: except for a few notable exceptions, diplomacy has typically been a “man’s world” (Barrios Baron, 2020; Cengiz, 2023

Does British TV portray politically renegade women negatively?

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November 27, 2023

Does British TV portray politically renegade women negatively?

British TV features plenty of women who wield power. This is unsurprising. But what we see little of is scrutiny of how these women are presented and the associated narratives.

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British TV features plenty of women who wield power. This is unsurprising. But what we see little of is scrutiny of how these women are presented and the associated narratives.

World News

Cambodia advances women's roles, aims for 2030, 2050 goals

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Cambodia advances women's roles, aims for 2030, 2050 goals

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The National Assembly (NA) stated that both the legislature and the executive branches of government have a strong political will to encourage, promote and strengthen the role of women to achieve the Cambodia’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and its vision for 2030 and 2050.

The body has passed comprehensive laws to integrate gender equality into public policy and laws, taking into account the challenges faced by women.

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The Phnom Penh Post

The National Assembly (NA) stated that both the legislature and the executive branches of government have a strong political will to encourage, promote and strengthen the role of women to achieve the Cambodia’s sustainable development goals (SDGs) and its vision for 2030 and 2050.

The body has passed comprehensive laws to integrate gender equality into public policy and laws, taking into account the challenges faced by women.

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