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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.

World News

In Mongolia, electoral reform ushers in a record number of women to parliament

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In Mongolia, electoral reform ushers in a record number of women to parliament

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Mongolia's electoral reforms have significantly transformed the political landscape, ushering a record number of women into Parliament. This change follows the May 2023 constitutional amendment, which expanded parliamentary seats from 76 to 126 and introduced a mandatory 30 per cent candidate quota for women. As a result, the number of female MPs has increased dramatically, from 13 to 32.

Mongolia's electoral reforms have significantly transformed the political landscape, ushering a record number of women into Parliament. This change follows the May 2023 constitutional amendment, which expanded parliamentary seats from 76 to 126 and introduced a mandatory 30 per cent candidate quota for women. As a result, the number of female MPs has increased dramatically, from 13 to 32.

World News

Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as European Commission president

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Ursula von der Leyen wins second term as European Commission president

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STRASBOURG — The European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen for another five years as European Commission president, choosing stability and continuity for the EU’s most powerful institution and the bloc.

Von der Leyen, who hails from the centre-right European People’s Party, won 401 votes in a secret ballot, well above the 361 votes she needed to be elected. There were 284 votes in opposition, 15 abstentions and 7 votes declared invalid.

STRASBOURG — The European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen for another five years as European Commission president, choosing stability and continuity for the EU’s most powerful institution and the bloc.

Von der Leyen, who hails from the centre-right European People’s Party, won 401 votes in a secret ballot, well above the 361 votes she needed to be elected. There were 284 votes in opposition, 15 abstentions and 7 votes declared invalid.

Luzha: Only 3% of Kosovo women participate directly in politics

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July 18, 2024

Luzha: Only 3% of Kosovo women participate directly in politics

Only three percent of women are directly engaged in politics, while 11 percent have no interest in involvement at all. This is what the research findings of the "Friedrich Eber" foundation say, which were presented by professor Besa Luzha.

Only three percent of women are directly engaged in politics, while 11 percent have no interest in involvement at all. This is what the research findings of the "Friedrich Eber" foundation say, which were presented by professor Besa Luzha.

World News

Nigeria: Only 5% of women in political offices – APC women leader

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Nigeria: Only 5% of women in political offices – APC women leader

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The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Mary Idele Alile, has said that only 6 per cent of women in Nigeria hold political office.

Dr Mary made the statement during her speech at the launch of “Project 774 Explode: Enhancing Gender Space in Politics” in Sokoto over the weekend.

The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Mary Idele Alile, has said that only 6 per cent of women in Nigeria hold political office.

Dr Mary made the statement during her speech at the launch of “Project 774 Explode: Enhancing Gender Space in Politics” in Sokoto over the weekend.

World News

Roberta Metsola reelected European Parliament president

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Roberta Metsola reelected European Parliament president

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STRASBOURG — Roberta Metsola has been reelected as president of the European Parliament.  

First elected to the post in January 2022, the Maltese European People’s Party (EPP) politician will remain in the role for 2.5 more years after gathering the support of a majority of the newly elected 720 members of the European Parliament, with 562 votes in her favor.

STRASBOURG — Roberta Metsola has been reelected as president of the European Parliament.  

First elected to the post in January 2022, the Maltese European People’s Party (EPP) politician will remain in the role for 2.5 more years after gathering the support of a majority of the newly elected 720 members of the European Parliament, with 562 votes in her favor.

World News

UK: Slow progress as women finally make up 40% of Parliament

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UK: Slow progress as women finally make up 40% of Parliament

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Last week saw a change of Government and a brand-new cohort of MPs (335 new MPs) elected; but with all this churn how representative is our new House of Commons? Before the election we published analysis of the candidates standing for election showing that only 31% of selected candidates were women. Let’s see how many were elected…

Last week saw a change of Government and a brand-new cohort of MPs (335 new MPs) elected; but with all this churn how representative is our new House of Commons? Before the election we published analysis of the candidates standing for election showing that only 31% of selected candidates were women. Let’s see how many were elected…

World News

Age, gender, profession: Who are France's new members of Parliament?

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Age, gender, profession: Who are France's new members of Parliament?

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Only 208 women will sit in the Assemblée Nationale, representing just over a third of all MPs. This is the second time in two years that the proportion of women in the Assemblée has fallen.

Only 208 women will sit in the Assemblée Nationale, representing just over a third of all MPs. This is the second time in two years that the proportion of women in the Assemblée has fallen.

World News

Going for gold: Meet five Olympic parliamentarians

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Going for gold: Meet five Olympic parliamentarians

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Excelling as a world-class athlete and performing parliamentary work both require determination, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. As we count down to the Paris 2024 Olympics, let's meet five trailblazers who succeeded in both arenas.

  1. Sebastian Coe - United Kingdom

  2. Matthew John Cowdrey – Australia

  3. Nancy Greene – Canada

  4. Nawal El Moutawakel – Morocco

Excelling as a world-class athlete and performing parliamentary work both require determination, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. As we count down to the Paris 2024 Olympics, let's meet five trailblazers who succeeded in both arenas.

  1. Sebastian Coe - United Kingdom

  2. Matthew John Cowdrey – Australia

  3. Nancy Greene – Canada

  4. Nawal El Moutawakel – Morocco