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Youth

While young people play central and catalyzing roles in movements for democracy around the world, they are less engaged than older generations in voting and party activism. As of 2016 people between the ages of 20 and 44 make up 57% of the world’s voting age population but only 26% of the world’s Members of Parliament (MPs). Young people under 30 only represent 1.9% of the world’s MP’s and more than 80% of the world’s upper houses of Parliament have no MPs aged under 30. While male MPs outnumber female MPs in every age category, gender imbalance is less pronounced among younger MPs around the world. This suggests that young men and women may be more likely to make way for new faces and voices to be represented in decision-making (Inter-parliamentary Union Youth Participation in National Parliaments, 2016). Strategies that may promote the engagement of youth in political processes include: youth quotas; legal reforms to align the voting age with the minimum age for elected officials; proportional representation electoral systems; inclusive parliaments and local governance; removal of barriers for youth electoral participation; outreach and recruitment of students by political parties; and targeted outreach to youth political candidates.

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Can digital platforms reduce barriers for women in politics?

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January 20, 2025

Can digital platforms reduce barriers for women in politics?

Looking back on all of the women that I have met over the years, the oppression, lack of opportunities, and expectations that were placed upon them, all I see is strength—strength passed from mother to daughter.

Looking back on all of the women that I have met over the years, the oppression, lack of opportunities, and expectations that were placed upon them, all I see is strength—strength passed from mother to daughter.

World News

South Korean Women’s Resistance at the Heart of Yoon Suk-yeol’s Impeachment

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South Korean Women’s Resistance at the Heart of Yoon Suk-yeol’s Impeachment

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In the wake of Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed self-coup on December 3, South Korean citizens took to the streets to protect the country’s democracy, staging a massive protest led by women in their 20s and 30s.

In the wake of Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed self-coup on December 3, South Korean citizens took to the streets to protect the country’s democracy, staging a massive protest led by women in their 20s and 30s.

Gen Z Voters Reflect Recent Trends, While Charting Their Own Path

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November 18, 2024

Gen Z Voters Reflect Recent Trends, While Charting Their Own Path

Since Bill Clinton’s election in 1996, a majority of women voters have backed Democratic presidential candidates. In contrast, men have generally favored Republican nominees. How might that gender gap play out this election cycle among the nation’s youngest voters?

Since Bill Clinton’s election in 1996, a majority of women voters have backed Democratic presidential candidates. In contrast, men have generally favored Republican nominees. How might that gender gap play out this election cycle among the nation’s youngest voters?

World News

Lesego Chombo, 26, is Botswana's new Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs

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Lesego Chombo, 26, is Botswana's new Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs

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Lesego Chombo, a dynamic figure in Botswana's youth scene, lawyer and Miss World Africa 2024, is now the rising star of the country's government, having been appointed Minister of Youth and Gender Equality by Botswana's President, Duma Boko.

Lesego Chombo, a dynamic figure in Botswana's youth scene, lawyer and Miss World Africa 2024, is now the rising star of the country's government, having been appointed Minister of Youth and Gender Equality by Botswana's President, Duma Boko.

e-Discussions

Opportunities and Challenges: Women’s Political Participation in the Digital Age

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Opportunities and Challenges: Women’s Political Participation in the Digital Age

Digital technologies have expanded opportunities for women in political participation, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing, but also present significant risks, particularly through technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV) that disproportionately affects women in public life. While digital platforms can bridge gender gaps, creating truly inclusive digital spaces requires policy reforms and societal shifts that address gender norms, ensuring equitable access and safety for all women.

Digital technologies have expanded opportunities for women in political participation, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing, but also present significant risks, particularly through technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV) that disproportionately affects women in public life. While digital platforms can bridge gender gaps, creating truly inclusive digital spaces requires policy reforms and societal shifts that address gender norms, ensuring equitable access and safety for all women.

World News

Election 'golden opportunity' to co-opt women to councils

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Election 'golden opportunity' to co-opt women to councils

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See Her Elected, an initiative aimed at getting more women from rural Ireland into politics, has said the impending general election is a "golden opportunity" to increase female participation in local councils.

New research and analysis of recent local election results - carried out by See Her Elected - found a significant electoral advantage for sitting councillors, regardless of gender.

See Her Elected, an initiative aimed at getting more women from rural Ireland into politics, has said the impending general election is a "golden opportunity" to increase female participation in local councils.

New research and analysis of recent local election results - carried out by See Her Elected - found a significant electoral advantage for sitting councillors, regardless of gender.

World News

Humor and rock & roll against political harassment in Argentina

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Humor and rock & roll against political harassment in Argentina

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Just days after its release, a music video with scathing lyrics and a catchy rhythm that denounces the harassment that the artist has been subjected to for more than a year by the Argentine president managed to enter the Top 5 most viewed videos in the world, and is number one in Argentina.

Just days after its release, a music video with scathing lyrics and a catchy rhythm that denounces the harassment that the artist has been subjected to for more than a year by the Argentine president managed to enter the Top 5 most viewed videos in the world, and is number one in Argentina.