Skip to main content

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.

April 12, 2022
China limits women representation across top echelons of political system

Women have limited representation and voice across the top echelons of China's political system, said US-China Economic and Security Review Commission in a report.

April 11, 2022
Only eight women stand in all-male Western Isles council elections

Officials and activists had urged more women to stand after none of the female candidates were elected in 2017.

Canada: Women in politics study

Back
April 11, 2022

Canada: Women in politics study

This document presents the result of a series of surveys conducted by Abacus Data in January 2022, about women in politics and the future of women in politics.

This document presents the result of a series of surveys conducted by Abacus Data in January 2022, about women in politics and the future of women in politics.

2022 Women in US municipal office

Back
April 11, 2022

2022 Women in US municipal office

Data provided by the Center for American Women and Politics and KnowWho Data Services. Numbers include members and officers of the municipal legislative branch of incorporated cities and towns with populations over 10,000 as per the U.S. Census.

Data provided by the Center for American Women and Politics and KnowWho Data Services. Numbers include members and officers of the municipal legislative branch of incorporated cities and towns with populations over 10,000 as per the U.S. Census.

April 11, 2022
Here be trolls: New Zealand’s female politicians battle rising tide of misogyny

Led by Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand women are entering uncharted territory in politics – and encountering increasing levels of abuse

April 8, 2022
Senate confirms Jackson as first Black woman on U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Reuters) - Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court in a milestone for the United States and a victory for President Joe Biden, who made good on a campaign promise as he seeks to infuse the federal ju

Nagaland women shine in all spheres, but find little space in politics

Back
April 8, 2022

Nagaland women shine in all spheres, but find little space in politics

It took Nagaland 45 years to elect its second woman parliamentarian, and the state is yet to elect any woman in the 60-member Assembly.

It took Nagaland 45 years to elect its second woman parliamentarian, and the state is yet to elect any woman in the 60-member Assembly.

April 7, 2022
Glasgow politician "followed" to car by councillor who "wanted to touch and hug" had to call police

Councillor Rhiannon Spear shared her experience as women from across the political parties called for an end to the 'toxic' atmosphere in politics, which causes many female councillors to step down.

"This is misogyny": The growing abuse facing women in Montenegrin politics

Back
April 6, 2022

"This is misogyny": The growing abuse facing women in Montenegrin politics

On both sides of Montenegro’s ideological divide, women politicians face sexism, abuse, and discrimination on a daily basis. And experts say it’s only getting worse.

On both sides of Montenegro’s ideological divide, women politicians face sexism, abuse, and discrimination on a daily basis. And experts say it’s only getting worse.