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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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Podcast: muslim women in politics

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December 22, 2021

Podcast: muslim women in politics

In this continuation of a conversation from the last episode, host Yasmin Bendaas explores the challenges of being a Muslim woman in today's political landscape with Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam and grassroots organizer Leila Ali of Muslim Women For.

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Podcast: muslim women in politics - Me and my muslim friends (WUNC)

In this continuation of a conversation from the last episode, host Yasmin Bendaas explores the challenges of being a Muslim woman in today's political landscape with Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam and grassroots organizer Leila Ali of Muslim Women For.

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IPU’s I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament! campaign goes global

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IPU’s I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament! campaign goes global

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Just over ten years ago, IPU Member Parliaments adopted a landmark resolution on youth participation to encourage the rejuvenation of parliaments. Since then, parliaments from around the world have made some limited progress in its implementation. However, the level of youth representation in parliament, as measured regularly by the IPU, remains low. Half the world’s population is under 30 and yet only 2.6% of MPs globally represent this age group.

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IPU’s I Say Yes to Youth in Parliament! campaign goes global - Copyright: IPU

Just over ten years ago, IPU Member Parliaments adopted a landmark resolution on youth participation to encourage the rejuvenation of parliaments. Since then, parliaments from around the world have made some limited progress in its implementation. However, the level of youth representation in parliament, as measured regularly by the IPU, remains low. Half the world’s population is under 30 and yet only 2.6% of MPs globally represent this age group.

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In Autralia, launch of an alliance of young, diverse people to run in 2022 federal election

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In Autralia, launch of an alliance of young, diverse people to run in 2022 federal election

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At just 21 years old, Adila Yarmuhammad believes she will be the youngest Muslim woman running in the 2022 federal election. She aims to secure a seat in Australia's parliament, but she knows she's inexperienced.

"Even just running [for a seat] is enough, it's showing other women and younger girls that this is possible," she said. "You don't really see a lot of women of color in parliament, let alone a lot of Muslim women in parliament."

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At just 21 years old, Adila Yarmuhammad believes she will be the youngest Muslim woman running in the 2022 federal election. She aims to secure a seat in Australia's parliament, but she knows she's inexperienced.

"Even just running [for a seat] is enough, it's showing other women and younger girls that this is possible," she said. "You don't really see a lot of women of color in parliament, let alone a lot of Muslim women in parliament."

In Australia, young women are still being deterred from political careers: it’s time for change

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November 19, 2021

In Australia, young women are still being deterred from political careers: it’s time for change

By Ashleigh Streeter-Jones

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By Ashleigh Streeter-Jones

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New German Parliament is younger and more female

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New German Parliament is younger and more female

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As the new German Bundestag sits for the first time on 26 October, IPU data shows that it has more women MPs and that the number of young MPs has significantly increased compared with the previous legislature elected in 2017.

IPU Parline data shows that out of the 598 seats in the Bundestag, more than a third are women (34.92 per cent) compared with 31.45 per cent in the outgoing parliament.

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As the new German Bundestag sits for the first time on 26 October, IPU data shows that it has more women MPs and that the number of young MPs has significantly increased compared with the previous legislature elected in 2017.

IPU Parline data shows that out of the 598 seats in the Bundestag, more than a third are women (34.92 per cent) compared with 31.45 per cent in the outgoing parliament.

Youth participation in national parliaments

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October 11, 2021

Youth participation in national parliaments

The global proportion of MPs aged under 30 has edged up to 2.6 per cent, according to the latest IPU report on Youth Participation in National Parliaments. This represents an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared with two years ago.

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The global proportion of MPs aged under 30 has edged up to 2.6 per cent, according to the latest IPU report on Youth Participation in National Parliaments. This represents an increase of 0.4 percentage points compared with two years ago.

World News

Youth group to hold women-only mock parliament to promote female participation in politics

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Youth group to hold women-only mock parliament to promote female participation in politics

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PETALING JAYA: A Young Women’s Parliament will be held next month, with 222 young delegates debating policies on women’s issues, gender equality, social issues and more in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and policymaking.

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PETALING JAYA: A Young Women’s Parliament will be held next month, with 222 young delegates debating policies on women’s issues, gender equality, social issues and more in a bid to encourage more female participation in politics and policymaking.

World News

In sweeping reshuffle, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez names younger Cabinet with more women

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In sweeping reshuffle, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez names younger Cabinet with more women

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The Socialist leader hopes the changes will help focus on the economic recovery and smooth thorny issues such as Catalan independence before Spaniards vote in the next election.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has carried out a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, replacing some of his most important ministers, boosting the representation of women and reducing the average age of his team.

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The Socialist leader hopes the changes will help focus on the economic recovery and smooth thorny issues such as Catalan independence before Spaniards vote in the next election.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has carried out a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, replacing some of his most important ministers, boosting the representation of women and reducing the average age of his team.

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