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Parliaments and Representatives

Democracy and the equal participation of men and women in the political arena are closely intertwined. No parliament or any decision-making body can claim to be representative without the participation of both men and women. As stated in the Universal Declaration on Democracy adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Member Parliaments in 1997, "The achievement of democracy presupposes a genuine partnership between men and women in the conduct of the affairs of society in which they work in equality and complementarity, drawing mutual enrichment from their differences."

Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of women in parliament, though the world average of less than 22 percent remains far from the goal of parity between women and men. The election of women to the highest positions of state and government in several countries has also contributed to the changing face of politics.

While the road to election is a difficult one, the challenges for women do not stop there. Once women enter parliament or other bodies, they are faced with many new challenges. Parliament is traditionally a male-oriented domain where the rules and practices have been written by men. It is, therefore, an ongoing challenge to transform parliament into a gender-sensitive environment, to ensure that actions are gender-sensitive and to guarantee that gender is mainstreamed throughout the legislature.

Strengthening Women's Participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Excerpt from Implementing Quotas: European Experiences)

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February 19, 2007

Strengthening Women's Participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (Excerpt from Implementing Quotas: European Experiences)

This case study examines the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) efforts to promote women’s participation in parliament. It focuses particularly on the use of quotas and the role of international organizations in advancing women's political participation.

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This case study examines the Inter-Parliamentary Union's (IPU) efforts to promote women’s participation in parliament. It focuses particularly on the use of quotas and the role of international organizations in advancing women's political participation.

Women in Politics: 1945-2005 (Information Kit)

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February 19, 2007

Women in Politics: 1945-2005 (Information Kit)

This information kit was published on the occasion of the 49th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. It is composed of six data sheets on women's participation in politics over the past sixty years.

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This information kit was published on the occasion of the 49th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. It is composed of six data sheets on women's participation in politics over the past sixty years.

Women in Politics: 2005 (Poster)

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February 19, 2007

Women in Politics: 2005 (Poster)

This poster-sized map is a "snapshot" of the presence of women in executive and legislative branches of government as of January 2005.

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This poster-sized map is a "snapshot" of the presence of women in executive and legislative branches of government as of January 2005.

Women in Parliament in 2005: The Year in Perspective

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February 19, 2007

Women in Parliament in 2005: The Year in Perspective

These statistics track the progress and developments regarding women in the political field.

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These statistics track the progress and developments regarding women in the political field.

Women in Politics: 60 Years in Retrospect (Information Kit)

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February 19, 2007

Women in Politics: 60 Years in Retrospect (Information Kit)

This information kit was published on the occasion of the 50th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. It is composed of six data sheets on women's participation in politics over the past sixty years.

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This information kit was published on the occasion of the 50th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. It is composed of six data sheets on women's participation in politics over the past sixty years.

Parliaments on-Line (PARLINE) Database

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February 19, 2007

Parliaments on-Line (PARLINE) Database

The Parliaments on-Line (PARLINE database) has been developed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and is regularly updated on the basis of official information provided by national parliaments.

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The Parliaments on-Line (PARLINE database) has been developed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and is regularly updated on the basis of official information provided by national parliaments.

PARLINE database: parliamentary bodies dealing with the status of women

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February 16, 2007

PARLINE database: parliamentary bodies dealing with the status of women

This database provides information on the role, structure and functioning of parliamentary committees dealing with gender equality and the status of women in over eighty countries. It also includes contact details of presiding officers and assistants.

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This database provides information on the role, structure and functioning of parliamentary committees dealing with gender equality and the status of women in over eighty countries. It also includes contact details of presiding officers and assistants.

Women Speakers of National Parliaments: History and the Present

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February 16, 2007

Women Speakers of National Parliaments: History and the Present

This website offers information from the past and present regarding the numbers of women presiding as speakers of national parliaments in countries throughout the world.

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This website offers information from the past and present regarding the numbers of women presiding as speakers of national parliaments in countries throughout the world.

Women in National Parliaments: Archived Data from 1997 to Date

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February 16, 2007

Women in National Parliaments: Archived Data from 1997 to Date

These tables present data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union's statistical archives on the number of women in national parliaments. The archive contains information from 1997 to the current date.

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These tables present data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union's statistical archives on the number of women in national parliaments. The archive contains information from 1997 to the current date.

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