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.
Globally, history has shown that politics is predominantly male dominated, where women were not expected to hold significant political views or opinions. This reality is also evident in Africa, where men occupy most major political positions in African countries.
With voters heading to the polls in countries around the world, 2024 has been dubbed the year of elections.
With voters heading to the polls in countries around the world, 2024 has been dubbed the year of elections.
As elections unfold throughout this super election year, much of the discussion has revolved around the advanced age of some candidates running for office.
The world’s longest-serving female leader was, according to her son, “in good spirits, but disheartened and disappointed in the lack of gratitude of the people of Bangladesh”.
The world’s longest-serving female leader was, according to her son, “in good spirits, but disheartened and disappointed in the lack of gratitude of the people of Bangladesh”.
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, has emphasised the need for greater inclusion of women in politics and governance, acknowledging their crucial role
The personal is political” is a popular feminist slogan that emerged in the late 1960s and became central to the feminist movements of the 1970s.
The personal is political” is a popular feminist slogan that emerged in the late 1960s and became central to the feminist movements of the 1970s.
Executive Summary
While the number of women running for federal office has waned nationally, New Jersey is seeing more women run this election cycle, including a Latina who was one of just four in the country to launch a campaign for Senate, according to a