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Local Government

Local governments are in a unique position to contribute to the global struggle for gender equality by improving the status of women around the world. Local Governments are the level of governance closest to the citizens and as service providers and employers have an important role in creating the conditions that encourage women’s political participation. In this special feature, we are collecting knowledge resources, case studies, stories and interviews from women active in local politics.  

Women are more likely to get elected to local bodies than to national parliaments

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February 16, 2022

Women are more likely to get elected to local bodies than to national parliaments

By Akshi Chawla

As women elected officials move from local politics towards the subnational and national levels, they begin to be replaced by more and more men.

By Akshi Chawla

As women elected officials move from local politics towards the subnational and national levels, they begin to be replaced by more and more men.

Representative budgeting: women mayors and the composition of spending in local governments

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February 16, 2022

Representative budgeting: women mayors and the composition of spending in local governments

One potential consequence of increasing women’s numeric representation is that women elected officials will behave differently than their men counterparts and improve women’s substantive representation.

One potential consequence of increasing women’s numeric representation is that women elected officials will behave differently than their men counterparts and improve women’s substantive representation.

In Pakistan, gendered politics prevail

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February 10, 2022

In Pakistan, gendered politics prevail

Pakistan’s constitution makes no distinction between genders but women in parliament know that’s not the reality in politics.

Pakistan’s constitution makes no distinction between genders but women in parliament know that’s not the reality in politics.

Women’s representation and implications for fairness, trust, and performance in local government: a survey experiment in Sri Lanka

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February 9, 2022

Women’s representation and implications for fairness, trust, and performance in local government: a survey experiment in Sri Lanka

How do quotas for women in Sri Lanka’s local government institutions affect key governance indicators such as perceived fairness, institutional trust, and perceived performance?

How do quotas for women in Sri Lanka’s local government institutions affect key governance indicators such as perceived fairness, institutional trust, and perceived performance?

Women’s representation in local government: A global analysis

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February 4, 2022

Women’s representation in local government: A global analysis

This working paper presents data and analysis on women’s representation in local government by UN Women as the sole custodian agency for 

This working paper presents data and analysis on women’s representation in local government by UN Women as the sole custodian agency for 

January 31, 2022
Punjab assembly elections 2022: In 4 seats, it’s women vs women

The assembly segments of Malout, Malerkotla, Moga and Muktsa will witness election contests between women when Punjab goes to poll on February 20, even though male candidates too are in the fray in these constituencies.

January 31, 2022
France: women candidates for presidency highlight politics' sexism problem

France has never had a woman as president. With a number of female candidates in the election race this time, could that finally change? Challenges range from a #MeToo campaign to an "invisible" barrier to the top job.