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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.

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Women still underrepresented in Bangladesh politics

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Women still underrepresented in Bangladesh politics

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Although two women — Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia — served as prime ministers of Bangladesh for 31 out of 33 years since 1991, the representation of women in national politics is still negligible.

The low rate of participation of Bangla women in politics is clear when looking at the number of women candidates contesting the upcoming 12th general election. According to the Election Commission, 92 contestants out of 1,891 vying for 300 seats are women. That's 4.86%.

Although two women — Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia — served as prime ministers of Bangladesh for 31 out of 33 years since 1991, the representation of women in national politics is still negligible.

The low rate of participation of Bangla women in politics is clear when looking at the number of women candidates contesting the upcoming 12th general election. According to the Election Commission, 92 contestants out of 1,891 vying for 300 seats are women. That's 4.86%.

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Fewer women in parliament spells trouble

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Fewer women in parliament spells trouble

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Women’s political representation in Indonesia may fall for the first time since the 1999 election, even before the voting starts. 

Women’s political representation in Indonesia may fall for the first time since the 1999 election, even before the voting starts. 

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Conference of Women Parliamentarians 2023 to take place in Ulaanbaatar

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Conference of Women Parliamentarians 2023 to take place in Ulaanbaatar

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The Standing Committee on State Structure of the Parliament, in cooperation with the UN Promoting Gender Equality and Women's Participation in Decision-making project, organized the First Conference of Women Parliamentarians on September 7, 2022.

The Conference of Women Parliamentarians 2023 is to be organized in Chinggis Khaan Hall at the State Palace on December 12, 2023, Montsame notes.

The Standing Committee on State Structure of the Parliament, in cooperation with the UN Promoting Gender Equality and Women's Participation in Decision-making project, organized the First Conference of Women Parliamentarians on September 7, 2022.

The Conference of Women Parliamentarians 2023 is to be organized in Chinggis Khaan Hall at the State Palace on December 12, 2023, Montsame notes.

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Violence against women in politics rarely reported

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Violence against women in politics rarely reported

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Executive director of Baobab for Women Human Rights, Bunmi Dipo-Salami, said the violence against women in politics is rarely reported.

While stressing that the society needs to understand that women are not second-class citizens, she expressed regret that there are still impediments on the paths of women in politics.

Executive director of Baobab for Women Human Rights, Bunmi Dipo-Salami, said the violence against women in politics is rarely reported.

While stressing that the society needs to understand that women are not second-class citizens, she expressed regret that there are still impediments on the paths of women in politics.

Female politicians in top positions are sexually harassed

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December 12, 2023

Female politicians in top positions are sexually harassed

Female politicians have asked their male counterparts to desist from the habit of sexually harassing them, saying the vice is rampant in Uganda’s political corridors.

Female politicians have asked their male counterparts to desist from the habit of sexually harassing them, saying the vice is rampant in Uganda’s political corridors.

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Women in politics suffer brunt of GBV

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Women in politics suffer brunt of GBV

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As the world marks the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the resilient voices of women in Mt Elgon and Trans Nzoia have exposed the harsh realities they encounter within the challenging realm of politics.

Jane Chebet, a two-term Cheptais ward representative who vied for the Mt Elgon MP seat and lost, passionately expresses the uphill battle women face in achieving the two-thirds gender rule, attributing it to entrenched male chauvinism.

As the world marks the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the resilient voices of women in Mt Elgon and Trans Nzoia have exposed the harsh realities they encounter within the challenging realm of politics.

Jane Chebet, a two-term Cheptais ward representative who vied for the Mt Elgon MP seat and lost, passionately expresses the uphill battle women face in achieving the two-thirds gender rule, attributing it to entrenched male chauvinism.

World News

Zimbabwe: Female MPs lobby for sexual harassment law

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Zimbabwe: Female MPs lobby for sexual harassment law

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FEMALE lawmakers are pushing for the tabling of a Sexual Harassment Bill  to protect women in politics against persecution by their male counterparts.

The calls were made during a recent sensitisation workshop for women leaders by the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence.

The women leaders had the opportunity to air out the challenges they encounter while discharging their political duties in their various constituencies.

FEMALE lawmakers are pushing for the tabling of a Sexual Harassment Bill  to protect women in politics against persecution by their male counterparts.

The calls were made during a recent sensitisation workshop for women leaders by the Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence.

The women leaders had the opportunity to air out the challenges they encounter while discharging their political duties in their various constituencies.

Upcoming Event:

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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