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.
International IDEA, in collaboration with the European Commission (EC) and the Youth Political and Civic Engagement Cohort of the Summit for Democracy (S4D), held on 15 November 2022, an online peer-to-peer dialogue, Promoting the r
There are many ways to step into political leadership in America, and how you go about it is often informed by your background, identity, and experiences.
There are many ways to step into political leadership in America, and how you go about it is often informed by your background, identity, and experiences.
This year’s State of the World’s Girls report is focused on girls’ and young women’s political participation.
This year’s State of the World’s Girls report is focused on girls’ and young women’s political participation.
In Peru, about 68 percent of young people have expressed an interest in politics, and about a third have volunteered, donated and advocated on behalf of initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Peru, about 68 percent of young people have expressed an interest in politics, and about a third have volunteered, donated and advocated on behalf of initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sanna Marin is a symbol of feminist achievement that closet cultural-Putinists are fighting to contain
Sanna Marin is a symbol of feminist achievement that closet cultural-Putinists are fighting to contain
Committed, inspiring and bold climate leaders from all over the world will meet during the UN High-Level General Assembly week to discuss youth-led engagement and solutions in climate actions.
Through roundtable discussions, capacity-building workshops, and seminars targeting women from across Sudan, UN Women Sudan empowers young women to learn skills in alliance-building and participation in political processes.
International IDEA Sudan’s programme celebrated the graduation of the first batch from the Young Women Democracy Academy (YWDA) on 9 August 2022.