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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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“We copy it from them”: How campus politics sets scene for big man politics in Nigeria

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July 6, 2022

“We copy it from them”: How campus politics sets scene for big man politics in Nigeria

Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in the world. This culture is established and reinforced early.

Nigeria has one of the lowest rates of female political representation in the world. This culture is established and reinforced early.

World News

Young MPs for climate action: Eighth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians

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Young MPs for climate action: Eighth IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians

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On 15 and 16 June, some 200 young parliamentarians from 60 countries convened in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt for the Eight IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.

On 15 and 16 June, some 200 young parliamentarians from 60 countries convened in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt for the Eight IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.

Interviews

Republic of Korea: A 26-year-old sex-crime fighter dives into South Korean politics

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June 2, 2022

Republic of Korea: A 26-year-old sex-crime fighter dives into South Korean politics

Park Ji-hyun has emerged as a leader of South Korea’s opposition and a torchbearer for women fed up with the country’s longstanding gender divide.

Park Ji-hyun has emerged as a leader of South Korea’s opposition and a torchbearer for women fed up with the country’s longstanding gender divide.

World News

Australia: Young women are turning their backs on political careers at alarming rate, new research suggests

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Australia: Young women are turning their backs on political careers at alarming rate, new research suggests

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Young women aren’t feeling any more optimistic about our parliamentary landscape, opportunities to build a career in politics or their safety, new research has found.

Young women aren’t feeling any more optimistic about our parliamentary landscape, opportunities to build a career in politics or their safety, new research has found.

Australia: Represent us!

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May 16, 2022

Australia: Represent us!

Plan International Australia, in collaboration with YouGov, conducted a poll with a representative online sample of 1,034 Australian young women aged between 18 and 24 to gauge their views on the culture and diversity of representation in Australian politics.

Plan International Australia, in collaboration with YouGov, conducted a poll with a representative online sample of 1,034 Australian young women aged between 18 and 24 to gauge their views on the culture and diversity of representation in Australian politics.

Understanding young people’s political participation

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May 13, 2022

Understanding young people’s political participation

Young people care – about our planet, our future and our political systems. In the last decade, young people have initiated social movements, tackling issues that impact their own lives and those of communities around the globe.

Young people care – about our planet, our future and our political systems. In the last decade, young people have initiated social movements, tackling issues that impact their own lives and those of communities around the globe.

Interviews

Zimbabwe: "Fear of sexual harassment keeps young women out of politics"

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April 29, 2022

Zimbabwe: "Fear of sexual harassment keeps young women out of politics"

Living in an era when Zimbabwe and the world are fighting for gender equality, it is sad young women still shun politics in fear of sexual harassment which appears to be the greatest challenge in the male dominated sphere, a member of parliament has said.

Living in an era when Zimbabwe and the world are fighting for gender equality, it is sad young women still shun politics in fear of sexual harassment which appears to be the greatest challenge in the male dominated sphere, a member of parliament has said.