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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

Dora Akunyili: a black woman who reformed Nigeria’s public health sector

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Dora Akunyili: a black woman who reformed Nigeria’s public health sector

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The struggle of Black women to be recognized, respected, and welcomed as leaders is an international one. Generally, Black women have been absent and invisible from leadership positions in many countries—including the author’s home country of Nigeria, where a historical dearth of women in political or official positions remains very much the case today, despite purported efforts by the Nigerian government to increase women’s participation in politics.

The struggle of Black women to be recognized, respected, and welcomed as leaders is an international one. Generally, Black women have been absent and invisible from leadership positions in many countries—including the author’s home country of Nigeria, where a historical dearth of women in political or official positions remains very much the case today, despite purported efforts by the Nigerian government to increase women’s participation in politics.

Podcast interview - A Podcast of One’s Own with Julia Gillard

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May 2, 2024

Podcast interview - A Podcast of One’s Own with Julia Gillard

THE HON JULIA GILLARD AC, HOST: Katy, it's not politics that brought you to Canberra, you were born and raised there, like no one's born and raised in Canberra. Can you tell me about that?

THE HON JULIA GILLARD AC, HOST: Katy, it's not politics that brought you to Canberra, you were born and raised there, like no one's born and raised in Canberra. Can you tell me about that?

World News

Who is Myriam Spiteri Debono, the former Speaker set to become the next President?

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Who is Myriam Spiteri Debono, the former Speaker set to become the next President?

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Myriam Spiteri Debono, a notary and former parliamentary speaker, is set to become the 11th President of Malta on 4 April. 

Appointing the next president appeared an impossible task until a couple of weeks ago, as the appointment required a two-thirds majority in parliament instead of a simple majority, as in previous years. 

Myriam Spiteri Debono, a notary and former parliamentary speaker, is set to become the 11th President of Malta on 4 April. 

Appointing the next president appeared an impossible task until a couple of weeks ago, as the appointment required a two-thirds majority in parliament instead of a simple majority, as in previous years. 

There aren’t official rules about women politicians’ appearances, but unwritten pressures certainly exist

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April 29, 2024

There aren’t official rules about women politicians’ appearances, but unwritten pressures certainly exist

Despite their increasing visibility, women in government must still contend with gendered biases about the ways in which they choose to present themselves.

Despite their increasing visibility, women in government must still contend with gendered biases about the ways in which they choose to present themselves.

Interviews

World News

Vietnamese, Lao female lawmakers discuss women’s roles in politics

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Vietnamese, Lao female lawmakers discuss women’s roles in politics

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Vientiane (VNA)Vietnamese and Lao female lawmakers on April 25 shared their experience in politics at a workshop in the northern Lao province of Luang Prabang.

In her opening remarks, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA)’s Social Affairs Committee Nguyen Thuy Anh said the workshop offers an opportunity for them to tighten their bonds.

Vientiane (VNA)Vietnamese and Lao female lawmakers on April 25 shared their experience in politics at a workshop in the northern Lao province of Luang Prabang.

In her opening remarks, Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA)’s Social Affairs Committee Nguyen Thuy Anh said the workshop offers an opportunity for them to tighten their bonds.

World News

How gendered disinformation on social media harms Kenyan women seeking political office

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How gendered disinformation on social media harms Kenyan women seeking political office

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Gender-based violence has crept up in the digital era in the form of online violence against women and girls, especially affecting women with political ambitions. Part of this violence entails gendered disinformation. This form of disinformation uses gender stereotypes to attack women and influence debates by promoting certain political, social or economic goals.

Gender-based violence has crept up in the digital era in the form of online violence against women and girls, especially affecting women with political ambitions. Part of this violence entails gendered disinformation. This form of disinformation uses gender stereotypes to attack women and influence debates by promoting certain political, social or economic goals.

A conversation with... Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka, Poland

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April 25, 2024

A conversation with... Gabriela Morawska-Stanecka, Poland

As part of the IPU series 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them.

As part of the IPU series 'A conversation with...', we interview parliamentarians from all over the world to find out who they represent and what motivates them.

World News

Togo: Women candidates campaign ahead legislative and regional elections

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Togo: Women candidates campaign ahead legislative and regional elections

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As Togo prepares for the legislative and regional elections on April 29, 2024, a significant number of women are in the electoral race, defying traditional norms and expectations.

With 2,348 validated candidacies for the legislative elections and 113 seats up for grabs, some 593 women are in the running for parliament and 438 women for the regional elections, according to figures obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

As Togo prepares for the legislative and regional elections on April 29, 2024, a significant number of women are in the electoral race, defying traditional norms and expectations.

With 2,348 validated candidacies for the legislative elections and 113 seats up for grabs, some 593 women are in the running for parliament and 438 women for the regional elections, according to figures obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission.

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National Intergenerational Dialogue on Advancing Youth Participation and Representation in Leadership and Decision-Making

The main purpose of the National Intergenerational Dialogue is to promote intergenerational interactions/exchanges to bridge generational divides and to address the causes of…

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Regional Dialogue on Advancing Transformative Gender Social Norms to Enhance Women and Youth Participation
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Strategies and tools to support women in public life against gender-based violence online and offline
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